Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan touched down in Shillong on Monday for his first official state visit. He arrived at the U Soso Tham Auditorium to inaugurate a series of infrastructure projects worth a combined ₹1,042 crore. The Vice President laid foundation stones for five major developments totaling ₹1,010.95 crore, while also opening the ₹31.05 crore Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Nongstoin.
Big spending is coming. The largest item is the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A, which carries a price tag of ₹850.58 crore. Other foundational projects include a 110-metre bridge over the Umngot River costing ₹21.86 crore, a 13.50-kilometre road from Umsen to Barapathar for ₹56.01 crore, a ₹10 crore AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital, and a 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu costing ₹72.50 crore.
Radhakrishnan praised the state for its matrilineal traditions and natural beauty. He defined secularism as a mutual respect for differing beliefs. During his address, he looked back at the late P. A. Sangma, calling him a formidable leader. He reminded the audience that the Northeast has seen over 46,000 kilometres of road construction under the PMGSY initiative over the last decade.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma joined the Vice President alongside Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar. The Chief Minister touted Meghalaya as one of India's fastest-growing economies. He emphasized that traditional institutions remain the backbone of the state’s identity. The Vice President remained focused on the immediate future. "This is my first official visit to Meghalaya and I am deeply touched by the warm reception extended to me. I am with you in every development of the state," Radhakrishnan said.
The event highlighted the state's participation in the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. Officials also noted the CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya programs. Development must be inclusive, Radhakrishnan told the crowd. Growth must respect the environment.
Updated at 8th September 2026 at 2:00pm
The massive water supply project, designed to serve Shillong and 32 neighboring villages, will introduce the state's first city-scale smart metering system. The AYUSH unit at the civil hospital draws its funding from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under Article 275(1), while the power station and its associated transmission lines are bankrolled through the PM-DevINE scheme. Officials also confirmed that several works fall under the Urban Challenge Fund and North East Special Infrastructure Development Schemes (NESIDS).
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma noted that maternal mortality in the state has plummeted by over 55 percent from a high of 250. He touted a rise in the state's Performance Grading Index beyond the 520-point mark as proof of the government's shift toward time-bound, sector-specific goals aimed at pushing Meghalaya into the country's top ten states.
Radhakrishnan, who recalled visiting the home of the late P.A. Sangma several times as a fellow MP decades ago, insisted that physical and digital connectivity remain the engine of growth. He noted that the central government has funneled more than ₹47,000 crore into rural road construction across the Northeast over the last ten years.
Updated at 8th September 2026 at 6:00pm
Beyond the infrastructure push, the state government is looking toward the 2027 National Games. Chief Minister Sangma feted 46 athletes across as many disciplines on Tuesday, promising more support for coaches and associations to prep talent for the upcoming competition. He expects these local stars to drive the state's performance when the games arrive.
Official records now clarify the backing for the latest build-out. The massive water scheme falls under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Urban Challenge Fund. The Umngot bridge and the Umsen to Barapathar road project both draw from NESIDS coffers. The Mawkhanu substation, specifically a 2x50 MVA facility including the Saisiej-Mawkhanu line and GIS bay, is powered by PM-DevINE cash.
Comments