TURA, Feb 23: Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, on Tuesday inaugurated various projects in East Garo Hills while maintaining that these developmental projects corroborate state government’s commitment towards Meghalayans and are not election gimmicks at all.
Only a day earlier, Conrad had launched developmental projects in North Garo Hills, aimed at uplifting education and road connectivity across the district.
During the Day 2 of his Garo Hills tour, the chief minister inaugurated the Nengmandalgre PHC in Williamnagar in the presence of Tura MP Agatha K Sangma, MLAs Marcuise Marak and Jim Sangma and former MDC Denang T Sangma.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural programme, Conrad said the PHC has been dedicated to the locals. “The construction and upgradation of healthcare facilities in the districts have been the mandate of the MDA Government since its inception. The PHC will cater to the people of several villages across the Simsang river in Williamnagar town and will immensely help the villagers and patients in rural areas to have access to basic medical treatment,” the chief minister said.
Conrad also reiterated the state government’s commitment to better the public health infrastructure across the state.
With regard to the aid from the Centre, he said, “The sanction of Rs 500 crore by the 15th Finance Commission and Rs 350 crore by World Bank will go a long way in uplifting the health infrastructure in Meghalaya. We dedicate all our efforts to our people”.
Later in the day, the chief minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 35-km Nengmandalgre to Daribokre (Mandalgre) Road and the construction of the 7.82-km Cherangre to Sisobibra (Nengmandalgre to Gitokgre) Road.
The 35-km road project includes the construction of 7 bridges with a sanction amount of over Rs 70 crore. The road, when completed, will connect 11 villages, viz. Dorengkigre, Patrenggre, Rongchek Chambugong, Dorakgre, Ampanggre (Sandi), Bandigre, and Mandalgre.
On the other hand, the 7.82-km road includes the construction of two bridges with a sanction amount of over Rs 12 crore, which will connect 8 villages — Chachatgre, Chachat Jangkegre, Chachat Karubibra, Jakopgre, Bolkinggre, Ganinggre, Sisobibra and Gitokgre.
The target set for the completion of both the projects is September 2021.
“We are intensifying our efforts to undertake and complete several ambitious road projects in the state for the welfare of the people with the sanctions from the Government of India for the improvement of road infrastructure in the state,” the chief minister said.
He added that the MDA Government has been aggressively pursuing its agenda of development and these projects are a testimony to the government’s commitment towards its people and not just an election gimmick.
The inauguration of the Higher Secondary School Block and a basketball court of the Loyola Higher Secondary School also took place during the chief minister’s visit. Whilst the school block was inaugurated by Conrad, Agatha inaugurated the basketball court, which was sanctioned under the CM’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF).
Speaking during the inaugural programme, the chief minister raised concerns on the pass percentage in Garo Hills region.
“This is a problem of the system as a whole and that is why, the government stresses on the need for community action and responsibility towards the young people of our state. Let us take on this challenge and ensure we encourage our children,” the chief minister appealed.
The chief minister also flagged off a new school bus for St. George School at Samanda. “The provision of the bus, through the CM’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF), will supplement the school’s efforts in encouraging students to pursue their education,” Conrad said, adding the buses will facilitate commuting for students from far-flung areas.
Meanwhile, Agatha has informed that the increase of Union Health budget by 10,000 crore this year will enable the creation of better healthcare facilities and infrastructure in Garo Hills as well. She also heaped praises on the CM for his efforts to improve health infrastructure in the state.