Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the state needs to achieve 11.5 per cent annual growth (GDP) to fructify its ambitious target of touching the 10 billion US dollar economy by 2028.
“At present, the state has an economy of 45,000 crore, which needs to be improved. It is a herculean task but as a government, we have planned the roadmap to achieve the target,” he said.
Addressing a function to lay the foundation of Rs. 100 crore Bulk Water Supply Project at Ballonggre, Tura the Chief Minister spoke about the poor performance of the state in various sectors. He stated that in the past five years, the MDA 2.0 government has been able to address different challenges.
He said the government has envisaged a vision for the state and is making investments to create better and sustainable infrastructure, job creation through entrepreneurship and innovative policies and programmes to double the farmers’ income.
The Chief Minister stated that Meghalaya is marching ahead and has been recognized as ‘best performer’ in implementation of various schemes of the central government including PMGSY, PMAY, JJM, and MGNREGS and has received awards and bonuses.
“Prior to 2019, the PHE department had less than 50 crore as budget. At present, the budget has increased to Rs. 3000 crore and the focus is on creation of better infrastructure to overcome various challenges related to adequate water supply”, he said, while informing about the State Water Policy and other flagship schemes to address concerns on climate change.
The foundation for the water supply project was estimated close to Rs. 100 crore is funded by the Ministry of DoNER under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) that will cover about 41 villages under Rongram, Rerapara and Gambegre block of West and South West Garo Hills district.
It also aims to increase the water supply to the urban area of Tura town, that will be drawn from the Ganol river. The scheme comprises pump houses, construction of reservoirs, treatment plant, water pumping, staff quarters, etc.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also launched the MegARISE at Tura, a project with focus on the protection of vulnerable catchment areas in the State.
He said, “This project focuses on safeguarding the critical Umiew catchment in East Khasi Hills district and the essential Ganol catchment in West Garo Hills district. These catchments serve as lifelines for two of Meghalaya’s most densely populated cities, Shillong and Tura”.
He informed that the State government has partnered with KfW (German Development Bank) to implement the project. The project will benefit 106 villages across 39 micro-watersheds within these catchment areas.
The project will be implemented over a period of seven years with total financial outlay of Rs. 344 crore and will be executed by Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA).
