Foundation for key infra projects laid in Shillong

Shillong: The Meghalaya govt took a significant step forward in bolstering the state’s infrastructure on Monday with the laying of foundation stones for three crucial projects — New Shillong water supply scheme, land reclamation project at the waste processing and disposal site at Marten, Mawlai and construction of internal roads within the New Shillong township at Mawkhanu, Mawpdang.
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma said the New Shillong water supply scheme would in all probability be one of the largest projects funded by the state govt to address the growing water demand of the capital. It will be implemented by the PHE department.
Stating that the project is expected to be completed within the next 36 months, Conrad said, “It will cost approximately Rs 1600 crore to be implemented. In the first phase alone, nearly Rs 500 crores will be spent”.
On the construction of internal roads, the CM said, “These roads which are for Mawkhanu area will cost approximately Rs 185 crore. Work on projects worth Rs 380 crore is in full swing in the New Shillong area, the knowledge city and administrative city”.
On the land reclamation project at Marten, he said, “The entire waste will be recycled. Within 12 to 18 months, we should be able to see a massive transformation in the Marten area. Once the entire legacy waste is removed, our intention is to create some good public space out there and convert the dump yard into something that the public can enjoy at large”.
The bio-mining initiative aims to reclaim parts of the Marten site, counteract environmental damage, and revitalise the area for a sustainable future.
He added that the project will be replicated in other districts/towns to ensure that legacy waste and other waste are disposed of well.
Stating that Meghalaya will transform like “never before”, Sangma said, “We will be investing close to Rs 10,000 crore in the next four years in the knowledge city and in the New Shillong City”.