Poor road, water crisis worry Gowda

SHILLONG/NONGPOH: Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda has pointed out two drawbacks that might upset the functioning of the cancer unit at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), which the Centre dreams of making a world-class institution.
Speaking to media persons here on Friday after inspecting the construction site of the cancer centre, Gowda flagged the issues of road connectivity and water supply crisis at NEIGRIHMS.
The minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation urged Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem, who was also present during the inspection, to look into the problems.
Gowda also instructed state authorities to ensure that there is no compromise with the quality of construction of the cancer centre.
State officials, who were accompanying the minister, informed Gowda that a two-lane road project is on the anvil to ease connectivity problems.
“They also told me that the water problem at the institute will be sorted out,” Gowda told media persons.
Asserting that the Centre would give additional support in developing the hospital, Gowda appreciated the authorities for setting up NEIGRIHMS and the upcoming cancer institute “in a remote and distant place like Shillong”.
When asked about MCI’s refusal to recognise the degrees of NEIGRIHMS, he said the Health Department and the Ministry of Health will take care of the matter.
Gowda also visited the medical college building, hostel and nursing college.
He interacted with doctors and patients and was happy with the services at the hospital.
Cleaning drive in Umsning
Gowda on Friday launched a cleaning drive under Swachh Bharat at Umsning market. The cleaning drive cum environment awareness programme was organised by BJP.
The programme was also attended by State BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh and general secretary Bashailang Khongwir, among others. Two BJP ticket aspirants, Banbuhai Makdoh from Mawhati and Patbun Syngkli from Nongpoh, were also present.
Talking about various central schemes, Gowda urged the state to co-operate with Delhi to implement various projects.