Shillong, March 11: The Government of Meghalaya took a significant step forward in bolstering Meghalaya’s infrastructure with the laying of foundation stones for three crucial projects in Shillong – 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 Land at Mawkhanu, Mawpdang.
The event witnessed the participation of Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, and Minister In-Charge Urban Affairs Department, Shri Marcuise N. Marak, Hon’ble Minister, PHE Department, Soil & Water Conservation, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare Department, other government officials and the traditional heads.
In his speech, Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister said that the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme would in all probabilities be one of the largest projects funded by the state government and a termed it as a “well-planned project.”
To address the growing water demands of Shillong, the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme will be implemented by the PHE Department, Meghalaya. This project aims to provide a reliable source of clean water to the New Shillong Township, encompassing institutions, office establishments, and thirty-two adjoining villages.
Expecting the project to be completed within the next 36 months, Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “This project will cost approximately 1600 crores to be implemented; and in the first phase alone, almost close to 500 crores will be spent.”
As for the internal roads’ construction, he said, “These internal roads which are for Mawkhanu area will cost approximately 185 crores. While we speak, already projects worth 380 crores are going on in the New Shillong area, in the knowledge city and administrative city.”
Turning his attention to Land Reclamation Project at the Waste Processing and Disposal Site at Marten, Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “Entire waste will be recycled.
Expecting that, between 12-18 months, we should be able to see a large transformation in the marten area. We expect that 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.”
He added that the project will be replicated in other districts/towns to ensure that legacy wastes and other wastes is being taken care of. Stating that Meghalaya will transform like never before, he said, “We will be investing close to 10,000 crores in the next four years in the knowledge city and in the New Shillong City.”
Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge Urban Affairs Department said that it has been a long pending aspiration of the people to see the projects materialized and is hopeful to see a change in the state in next 5-6 years. In his remarks on the landfill issue, he called upon the people to cooperate and said, “Please cooperate as landfill is one of the biggest issues not just in Shillong but other town areas in the state.”
Clearing the extensive legacy waste, approximately 1,55,601 m3 at Marten, emerges as a vital solution to reduce national emissions and safeguard surrounding areas from pollution.
To address this pressing issue, the bio-mining initiative aims to reclaim parts of the Marten site, counteract environmental damage, and revitalize the Marten area for a sustainable future.
