Shillong ( Meghalaya ), Feb 22 : Chief Minister Conrad Sangma alongside Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira, Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng Marak and MDCs Sukaram A Sangma and Dolly Sangma laid the foundation for the construction of a Bridge over river Damring at Resubelpara, North Garo Hills District.
With a total length of 1799.469 m (bridge and approach road included) at a cost of ₹23.59 Cr funded under RIDF of the World Bank, the bridge will connect 2 crucial roads- Songsak- Mendipathar and Rongrong- Resudekachang separated by the river Damring. The roads connect to many villages in the area namely Thapa Darenchi, Thapa Agitchak, Dabadnaggre,Thapa Rongdenggre, Chidaret Ajaro, Moranodi, Doba Apal, Konchigol, Damebibra, Darampara, Daram Mangtu etc. Due to the absence of a bridge over the river, the villagers would pass through bamboo footbridges, which are washed away during monsoons.
The construction of this bridge will reduce the detouring for traffic between Songsak- Mendipathar & Rongrong- Resudekachang by about 19 km.
Calling it “A boon for the people”, the CM stated, “The completion of the bridge will benefit a the population of four thousand, mostly comprising of villagers who require the bridge for transportation of daily needs and many agricultural and horticultural products and will limit the travelling time and will ease the commute of villagers who use bamboo footbridges to cross to the opposite side”.
It may be mentioned that the area is very rich in agricultural products, forest products and minerals and speaking on the added benefits, the Chief Minister said, “The completion of this project will greatly uplift the economy of the people living in this area thereby also supplementing the economy of the State in the form of royalty, taxes. etc.
Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira thanked the Chief Minister for his concerted approach to accelerate development in the District. He expressed his satisfaction with the sanction of the sanctioning long-awaited Thapa bridge in Resubelpara, which will resolve the problems of many villages. Other MLAs and MDCs from North Garo Hills present on the occasion also lauded praises and expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister.
At the same function, the foundation for the new Resubelpara Government Higher Secondary School building funded for Rs. 2.5 Cr was laid by the Chief Minister in the presence of Deputy Speaker, Timothy D Shira, Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng Marak and MDCs Sukaram A Sangma and Dolly Sangma.
Calling it an “Investment in the future of Meghalaya” the Chief Minister stated that the new school building will prove fruitful through the successful young and bright minds the school will produce in the years to come.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation for a Mini Stadium at Resubelpara, funded by the State Plan Scheme at Rs. 3.46 Cr. “Our goal is to develop the Stadium’s sports infrastructure with certified standard levels, to encourage the sporting talents of the area”, the Chief Minister added.
The CM also in the presence of Kharkutta MLA, Rupert Momin today laid the foundation for the upgradation of the United Kharkutta Higher Secondary School in North Garo Hills District.
Established in 1953 by active members of 6 villages in the area- Kharkutta, Melopara, Tengabari, Salpara, Kholaipara, and Kamagandim, the School was brought under the deficit system in 1959 and provincialized in the year 1981. In 2002, the School was upgraded to the higher secondary level. Currently, the school is in a dilapidated condition with inadequate infrastructure to fulfill the needs of students of the area.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony today, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stressed that education is a priority of the Government and added, “The creation of better educational infrastructure will go a long way in giving a better atmosphere for students to avail learning facilities”.
On MDA’s commitment to realize the aspirations of the people, he said, “NPP made a commitment to the people during election and to fulfill the mandate, Government has come up with the ‘Education Policy’ within six months of taking over the regime of the Government”.
Commending the initiative by the community, CM said, “The School has served the community for over 68 years since its inception in 1953 which was a result of collective community leadership of 6 villages in the area. It continues to serve unbiased for students from different backgrounds with its sole purpose to educate and bring higher education closer to home. I am extremely happy to be here to announce the start of this project for such a well-deserved community”. He also urged the school authorities to ensure the completion of the 4 Crore-infrastructure upgradation project by December 2022.
Speaking on taking opportunities, the Chief Minister encouraged the people of Kharkutta to take advantage of the village’s proximity with Assam by pursuing different entrepreneurial activities as a source of livelihood and assured that all support will be accorded by the Government to promote business and economic activities in the area.
The Chief Minister thanked the MLA of Kharkutta, Rupert Momin who proposed and approached the Government to sanction for the new School building, which will ensure better learning infrastructure for the students of the area.
In Rajasimla, North Garo Hills District, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in the presence of Kharkutta MLA, Rupert Momin inaugurated the new building of the Omed Memorial Secondary School.
In honour of Omed W Momin, the first Garo who converted to Christianity, the Omed Memorial Secondary School was established on 17th February, 1969 by members of the village at the heart of Rajasimla village, near the Rongdal-Rongkil stream. The School was opened in 1971, received an Adhoc grant in 1974, and came under the deficit system 1983. According to School authorities, the School will be upgraded to Higher Secondary level by the next academic year.
Speaking at the inauguration programme, the Chief Minister thanked the Asian Development Bank and the Education Department for initiating the “Supporting Human Capital Development Project” in Meghalaya that has enabled the creation of infrastructure facilities to improve the quality of education in the State.
The Chief Minister expressed his confidence and commented that through a synergistic approach, the Government will be able to reverse the trend and provide better teaching and learning opportunities.
He stated, “The onus of education should be collective and the society and the government must work together to further the interest of the students and lead them to a bright future”.
Expressing his concerns over poor pass percentage, he called for cooperation from different stakeholders to partner with the Government in encouraging children to pursue their education and see to its end. He added, “The creation of better learning infrastructure will motivate the teachers and will spark interest in the youth to complete their education”.
Speaking on the unwavering commitment of the NPP-led MDA Government, he stated, “It is the MDA Government’s unbridled ambition to revamp infrastructure and improve literacy in rural areas”.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the show of active community leadership in North Garo Hills and expressed, “It is heartening to learn about the exemplary community leadership in North Garo Hills that has resulted in the fruition of projects that will improve the lives of young people and the society at large. We can learn a thing or two from such inspiring communities”.
Recalling the work of late P. A. Sangma, he said, “ A portion of the School was constructed with funds sanctioned from the MP Scheme during my late Father, Sh. P A Sangma’s tenure, I am glad to have this opportunity to inaugurate the new school building which has the imprint of such inspiring leadership”.
