Shillong: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday laid the foundation stones for five infrastructure projects worth ₹1,010.95 crore in Meghalaya and inaugurated a newly constructed Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Nongstoin.
The projects are aimed at strengthening water supply, road connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure across the state.
The foundation stones were laid for the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A, at a cost of ₹850.58 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund; two road connectivity projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS); a 30-bed AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital; and a 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
The Vice-President also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, constructed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission.
Addressing a public reception organised in his honour at Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, Radhakrishnan said development must be inclusive, with no section of society left behind.
He said the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 could only be realised when every state, village and citizen becomes developed.
“Every State, village and citizen must become ‘Viksit’ to realise Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of connectivity, the Vice-President said efforts were being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities.
He noted that more than 46,000 km of rural roads had been constructed in the Northeast under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) over the past decade, involving expenditure of more than ₹47,000 crore.
He also appreciated Meghalaya’s reform-linked memorandum of understanding under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
Radhakrishnan highlighted Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal heritage. He said the state’s grassroots institutions reflected India’s diversity and democratic traditions.
Recalling his former Lok Sabha colleague and former Lok Sabha Speaker late P. A. Sangma, the Vice-President described him as a “great leader” and an outstanding parliamentarian who made a significant contribution to India’s parliamentary democracy.
On social harmony, Radhakrishnan said true secularism meant respecting each other’s thoughts and beliefs and stressed the need for people to live together with mutual respect and harmony.
He also praised the Meghalaya government’s initiatives in infrastructure and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya.
Referring to Meghalaya’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said the state offered valuable lessons on living in harmony with nature and called for development that protects the environment, culture and traditions.
The Vice-President said he would continue to stand with the people of Meghalaya in the state’s development journey.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P. Ahammed and other dignitaries attended the programme.
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