SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: The foundation stone for the first phase of the Shillong Tech Park, with a project cost of Rs 35 crore, was symbolically laid by unveiling a digital plaque at the launch of Digital Northeast 2022 in Guwahati on Saturday.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, speaking at the launch programme, pushed for digital transformation of Meghalaya as well as the rest of the North East.
The project in Shillong, which will set the pace for such a transformation, will be spread on 80 acres in New Shillong Township. The Meghalaya government has already transferred 10 acres to National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) for setting up its campus, an official statement issued on Saturday said.
“The availability of skilled manpower, government land, infrastructure and a salubrious climate make Shillong is an ideal destination for setting up a regional data centre. By 2022, I expect that the entire 80 acres of the Shillong Technology Park will be fully occupied with direct employment opportunities for at least 1,200 of our youths,” Sangma said at the function, also attended by Union Electronic and Telecommunication Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The deadline for the completion of the first phase is 2020. There will be slots for IT and ITeS companies to set up their operations and subsequently generate employment for local youths.
The Phase I building will have facilities earmarked for incubation and skilling centres, besides centres for excellence. About 5,000 sq ft will be available for a data centre.
One of the pet projects of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is creating digital platform.
Meghalaya is also setting up 117 school buildings with facilities like smart classrooms and digital libraries and it is being funded by the Asian Development Bank’s Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya.
Sangma hoped that by 2022, local youths will be able to take “full advantage of the Digital India and Digital North East programmes”.
The state, in tandem with the central initiative, has extended innovations to the agricultural sector too.
