Shillong, Sept 7: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday gave Meghalaya a Rs 1,042 crore development push and said Viksit Meghalaya is key to Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Addressing a grand public reception at Soso Tham Auditorium, here, organised by the people and Government of Meghalaya, the Vice-President said he will always stand with Meghalaya in its growth journey.
He lauded Meghalaya’s matrilineal heritage, living-root bridges, Sohra-Mawsynram landscapes and vibrant grassroots institutions, saying the state teaches India how to live in harmony with nature.
Remembering his former Lok Sabha colleague late P.A. Sangma, he called him a great leader and an outstanding Speaker.
“True secularism is respecting each other’s thoughts and beliefs,” he said, adding development must leave no one behind.
On connectivity, he revealed over 46,000 km rural roads have been built in North-East in last decade under PMGSY at a cost of Rs 47,000 crore.
In a major push, he laid foundation for five projects worth Rs 1,010.95 crore – New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II (Rs 850.58 cr), two NESIDS road projects, 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital and 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
He also inaugurated the Rs 31.05 crore Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin.
He praised CM Conrad K Sangma’s homestay scheme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya moves.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Dy CMs Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Sanbor Shullai, CS Dr Shakil P Ahammed were present.
