Centre Approves ₹2000 Crore for Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project Phase 2

The Centre has sanctioned ₹2000 crore for the second phase of the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MiTP), which will be executed in collaboration with the World Bank. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed his gratitude on X, thanking Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the approval. Sangma mentioned that the funds would be used to develop crucial roads and continue the progress made in the first phase of the MiTP.

In July, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government decided to cancel the first phase of the smart city road project, citing feasibility issues. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar announced this on July 12, noting that the project, which included 17 roads across the state, had seen only 3-4% completion before being halted. The government is now working on a new plan, funded by the state, to improve key city roads.

The shift from the smart road project to the new state-funded plan came after a meeting between the Deputy Chief Minister and the Public Works Department (PWD). They concluded that the original project was too challenging to implement effectively. One of the incomplete roads was located in the Lachaumiere area.

In another development, Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma announced that the state government is making efforts to open Shillong Engineering College, the first of its kind in the state, as soon as possible. After inspecting the college facility, Sangma confirmed that the building construction is complete. However, the college has not yet begun operations due to some observations made by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

The education minister further mentioned that the state government plans to launch several courses at Shillong Engineering College by the next academic session. The college will initially offer programs in civil engineering, mining, mechanical, electrical, and computer sciences. Sangma emphasized the government’s commitment to recruiting the necessary faculty and staff promptly to ensure the college meets AICTE requirements and begins operating without delay.