With less than four months remaining before the State Assembly elections, Meghalaya has seen a spate of laying of foundation stones for various projects by the chief minister, members of his cabinet and MLAs belonging to the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).
The hectic efforts by the government to lay the foundation stones has also raised questions among the public as to whether these projects will see the light of day or will remain just mere stones that will be forgotten after the elections are over.
The latest foundation stone that was laid was by Health Minister James Sangma on October 17 for the upgradation of Kherapara Primary Health Centre (PHC) in West Garo Hills to a Community Health Centre (CHC).
On October 15, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Multipurpose Indoor Stadium at Lawsohtun under Mylliem constituency in the presence of local MLA Hamletson Dohling, who is also a cabinet minister.
The sports facility will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8.7 crore, with 50:50 funding by ‘Khelo India’ and through State scheme.
On October 14, Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliem laid the foundation stone for the improvement of Sohrarim Water Supply Scheme sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2.45 crore under State Fund. The project was sanctioned with an intention to provide water supply at 55 litres per head per day to every household under Sohrarim village.
Similarly, on October 3, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for the PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital at 9th Mile in Ri-Bhoi district. The foundation stone was laid at the campus of University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM).
On September 30, Sangma laid the foundation stone for the 23-kilometre Nongstoiñ-Maweit road in West Khasi Hill. The project comes under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP). Funded by the World Bank, the project is more than Rs 98 crore.
The road project includes strengthening and widening the existing single-lane road to an intermediate lane. It will pass through the villages of Nongpyndeng, Mawlait, Nongthraw, Wahlyngdoh, Nongsbah, Mawdong, and Miangshang.
On September 24, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new office building of Chokpot Sub-Division in South Garo Hills at a cost of Rs 4 crore.
On September 21, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for two bridges at Chikal Pekro and at Kentra village both over Manda River that connects North Garo Hills to East Garo Hills route.
On September 1, Sangma laid the foundation stone for the Williamnagar Urban Water Supply Project under Phase 1 of AMRUT 2.0. Sanctioned at Rs 121 crores, the project will cover 7229 households in Phase 1.
On September 4, Community and Rural Development Minister Hamletson Dohling laid the foundation stone for the construction of New Mylliem C&RD Block office building at San Mer, Upper Shillong. The building will be constructed at an estimated amount of Rs 3 crore.
Going by the scale with which foundation stones are being laid, indications are that more are on the way just before the Election Commission announces the election date for Meghalaya and impose the model code of conduct banning any more inauguration or laying of foundation stones.
