By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 28: Outgoing Chief Secretary, DP Wahlang, who also serves as Chairperson of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Committee — constituted to manage funds set aside by Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd. as mandated by the Supreme Court of India for eco-restoration and community livelihood projects in the mining area — inaugurated two major projects in Shella and laid the foundation stone for two others at Laitkynsew on Saturday.
At Laitkynsew village, which Wahlang described as a “model village,” the Sordar, Mody Basaiawmoit, highlighted that the community has prohibited stone quarrying and sand mining while actively planting trees to green the area.
On the occasion, the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art football ground with artificial turf, to be built at a cost of Rs 2.87 crore, was laid.
Alongside this, the SPVS announced plans to renovate and beautify the historic Heritage Bungalow built by Welsh missionaries over 185 years ago. The Rs 1.70 crore project aims to restore the bungalow so it continues to serve the purpose for which it was originally envisioned.
The team later proceeded to Kher Sawsyndier village under the Shella Confederacy to inaugurate an eco-friendly crematorium worth Rs 34.60 lakh. The facility, much needed by the indigenous faith community, was designed by the late Woh Kambel Chullai and has already been widely adopted in Jaintia Hills by Sein Raij Niamtre, whose secretary was present at the event.
Calling the crematorium a “blessing,” Rangbah Shnong of Kher Sawsyndier, Friday Ropmay, said the facility would spare bereaved families the hardship of searching for cremation sites. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, D Sathiyan, IFS, also attended the event, acknowledging the Forest Department’s role in enabling the project.
At Shella, Wahlang inaugurated a newly completed state-of-the-art football field with artificial turf, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.55 crore. The inaugural match saw the Chief Secretary’s team face off against a team led by Shella MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem. The MLA’s side also featured his brother, Shella MDC Barikupar Synrem, and Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
In his address, Wahlang urged the local community to safeguard the football ground and prevent animals from straying onto the turf, warning that such incidents could damage the surface prematurely. Secretary of Dorbar Shnong Shella, Tobias Dopp, announced that the ground would serve as a training venue for state- and national-level footballers from the region.
The event was also attended by PS Dkhar, CEO of the Special Purpose Vehicle Society (SPVS) and former Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, along with his team. Patricia Mukhim, member of the SPV Committee, was present as well. Officials of Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd. — Neel Savio Azavedo, Business Development Director, and Mark Marbaniang, Head of CSR and Security — also joined the occasion.
