By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 18: In a blunt ultimatum to environmental activists, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has declared that if Umiam does not want the controversial Lumpongdeng tourism project, his home turf of Wahiajer is ready to snatch it—just as the village received a Rs 100-crore infrastructure windfall from the state government.
Dhar’s remarks come amid an ongoing hunger strike by the Green Tech Foundation, which is demanding the project be scrapped. While the Deputy CM described the protests as a “democratic expression,” his solution was to suggest bypassing the dissenters entirely by shifting the investment to more receptive areas.
The ultimatum was issued against the backdrop of a massive government spending spree in Wahiajer. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the PWD (Roads & Buildings) portfolio, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects exceeding Rs 100 crore in the village.
The financial package includes Rs 100 crore under the State Road Fund for the 21-km U.N. Road, a Rs 8.94-crore lighting system for the local athletic track and football ground, and Rs 2 crore for village development works. Tynsong also announced road resurfacing projects for Jowai Central and South divisions estimated at Rs 20.92 crore for the 2025-26 cycle.
Addressing the crowd, Tynsong defended the government’s focus on hospitality and high-end infrastructure. He cited the completion of the long-stalled Crowborough and Marriott hotels in Shillong as evidence of the administration’s ability to generate employment. Tynsong added that more hotel projects are in the pipeline, with several memorandums of understanding already signed.
The event was attended by Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Raliang MLA Comingone Ymbon, and several other legislators and officials. Despite the heavy focus on rural infrastructure, the government’s messaging remained centered on using large-scale tourism and hospitality as its primary economic engine, regardless of localised opposition.
Dhar defends MDA 2.0 development record
Dismissing allegations of bias and centralised growth, the Deputy Chief Minister has countered mounting political unrest with a Rs 21,800-crore infrastructure pitch, claiming that the MDA 2.0 government has successfully “decentralised” development across all 60 constituencies.
Dhar insisted that the administration’s reach extends to every region of the state. He credited fellow Deputy CM and PWD Minister Prestone Tynsong for a sustained infrastructure push, highlighted by the proposed Rs 21,800-crore four-lane greenfield road from Lad Umroi to Silchar.
The Deputy CM’s remarks serve as a strategic counter-narrative to recent protests in the capital. While groups in Shillong agitate against land alienation and luxury tourism projects, Dhar focused on the government’s broader economic figures, citing a significantly expanded state budget since 2018.
Dhar maintained that resource allocation across sectors—including health, water supply, and tourism—remains balanced, rejecting claims that certain areas are being overlooked. “No constituency has been left out, and work is being undertaken across every region,” he told the gathering.
Addressing the recent backlash over the government’s focus on high-end tourism and international music events, Dhar defended these initiatives as essential for increasing Meghalaya’s visibility. He further pointed to the upcoming National Games as a milestone for state-wide development.
Responding to political scrutiny, Dhar stated that the government remains focused on project implementation and service delivery. He added that several more large-scale projects are currently in the pipeline, aimed at sustaining the momentum of the administration’s “development-first” agenda.
