VP Radhakrishnan Launches ₹1,000 Crore Projects in Shillong
Vice-President says every state, village and citizen must become ‘Viksit’ to realise Viksit Bharat by 2047
GG News Bureau
Shillong, 7th Sept: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday attended a public reception organised in his honour by the people and Government of Meghalaya at Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong and said he would stand with the people of the state in its development journey.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan highlighted Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal traditions. He said the state’s grassroots institutions reflect India’s diversity and democratic traditions.
Recalling his former Lok Sabha colleague, late P. A. Sangma, the Vice-President described him as a great leader and an outstanding Parliamentarian who made a significant contribution to parliamentary democracy.
Radhakrishnan said true secularism means respecting each other’s thoughts and beliefs and emphasised the need for mutual respect, harmony and inclusive development.
He said every state, village and citizen must become ‘Viksit’ to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He stressed that development must remain inclusive and no section of society should be left behind.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity in the North-East, the Vice-President said efforts are being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities. He noted that more than 46,000 km of rural roads have been constructed in the North-East under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana during the last decade, involving expenditure of more than ₹47,000 crore.
The Vice-President laid the foundation stones for five projects with a combined value of ₹1,010.95 crore. These include the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A, two road connectivity projects under NESIDS, a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital and a 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
He also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, constructed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission.
Together, the projects worth around ₹1,042 crore are expected to strengthen Meghalaya’s water supply, connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure.
Radhakrishnan appreciated the Meghalaya Government’s initiatives in infrastructure and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya. He congratulated Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of the state for Meghalaya’s progress.
Speaking about sustainable development, the Vice-President highlighted Meghalaya’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram as examples of living in harmony with nature. He said Meghalaya’s development must preserve its environment, culture and traditions.
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 were present at the event.
