Meghalaya

The construction of the new Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building is expected to be completed by June 2026, according to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, who chaired a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the project's progress. The Speaker informed that the original completion target was March 2025, but the vendors responsible for interior works have sought an extension of around six months to complete crucial components such as the main hall, reception area, and lobby. To ensure timely execution, Sangma announced that monthly review meetings will be conducted, with the next meeting scheduled for December 8, 2025. He expressed confidence that the Autumn Session of 2026 will be held in the new building. Highlighting the complexity of the project, the Speaker said it involves sever...

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has taken strong action against a road construction agency after reports and viral videos showed debris from the ongoing Shillong–Dawki highway project being dumped into the Umngot River, one of India’s clearest and most scenic water bodies. The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been under construction since December 2021. Locals and environmental watchers raised alarm after the river, famous for its glass-like clarity, was seen turning murky from waste material washed down from excavation sites. Residents who depend heavily on tourism expressed concern that pollution could damage the river’s fragile ecosystem and harm the region’s global reputation among travellers. Following inspections, th...

The Meghalaya Cricket Association has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming BCCI U-23 Men’s State A Trophy 2025-26, a one-day tournament set to begin this month. Manish Sharma will lead the side, with Josiah Momin appointed as vice-captain. Most of the players selected are currently part of Meghalaya’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy team, ensuring continuity and form heading into the limited-overs competition. Meghalaya have been placed in the Plate Group alongside Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. All matches are scheduled to be played at venues across Punjab. The team will leave for Punjab on November 6. Players and staff currently attending the preparatory camp in Tura will travel directly to Guwahati airport, while those involved in the ongoing Nayudu Trophy match ...

The spirit of sustainability took center stage at Tyrsad Higher Secondary School as the Shubham Charitable Association conducted an inspiring Zero-Waste Awareness Program, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 250 students and 10 teachers. The session aimed to educate young minds about eco-friendly living through the association’s Zero Waste Mission—a movement that encourages the use of reusable sanitary pads (“Fresh Pad”) and reusable diapers to reduce environmental pollution and promote health-conscious practices across the state. One of the most exciting highlights of the event was the launch of the “Zero Waste Ambassador” initiative, under which 1,000 teachers across Meghalaya will be trained and empowered to champion the cause in their schools and communities. These ambassadors wi...

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has said that the efforts of Tripura royal scion and TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Debbarma to create a forum of regional parties of Northeast India to collectively bargain with the Government of India may be a genuine intention but has no political sense for the indigenous tribals of Meghalaya. VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh stated that some of the political parties expected to be major partners in the proposed forum pose more threat to the people of Meghalaya than even the national parties."Each state has its own specific politics. The presence of such a forum will eventually lead to legitimisation of the highly corrupt and anti-people party," Myrboh said. He added that the people of Meghalaya need a genuine regional party that has the courage to ...

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has taken strong action against a road construction agency working on the Japan-funded Shillong–Dawki highway for allegedly dumping construction waste into the Umngot River — a water body famous for its crystal-clear waters and global tourism appeal. The action comes after videos and complaints from locals showed the river turning muddy due to soil and debris being pushed down from excavation sites. The Umngot River, located in Dawki on the India–Bangladesh border, is known for its transparent water where boats appear to float on air. Residents fear the pollution will damage its fragile ecosystem and hurt tourism, the main source of livelihood for many families in the area. Local MLA Ricky Syngkon has raised the issue with the Union Mini...

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has pulled up a road project agency engaged in constructing a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded highway from Shillong to Dawki for allegedly dumping construction debris into the Umngot River, one of India’s most pristine water bodies. Officials said the action followed complaints and viral videos showing the river’s crystal-clear waters turning murky due to dumping of waste from earthwork and excavation activities. Local residents, many dependent on tourism for their livelihood, had raised concerns about the pollution affecting the river’s ecology and its global reputation. The incident prompted Meghalaya MLA Ricky Syngkon to take up the matter with Union Ministers for Road Transport and Environment. Dawki, where th...

The Byatikram Group, in association with The Times of India and the Rabindranath Tagore Club, Laban, is all set to host the second edition of “Remembering the Maestro – S.D. Burman”, a grand musical evening celebrating the timeless genius of the legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman. The event will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 5 PM at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The announcement was made at a press meet held at the Shillong Press Club in the presence of Dr. Saumen Bharatiya, Patron-in-Chief of Byatikram Group; Pankaj Deb, President of Rabindranath Tagore Club, Laban; and members Alakananda Sen, Pritam Lahiri, and Urmimala Choudhury. As a symbolic homage to Burman’s 69 remarkable years (1906–1975), 69 artists from Bahaar Group will perform a special chorus in his mem...

A family in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district narrowly escaped a violent assault after a large mob attacked their home on Thursday night, accusing them of practising witchcraft. The incident took place in Khliehshnong locality of Sohra around 9.30 pm, when nearly 200 people gathered outside the house of local resident Ham Shangpliang, threatening to burn the home and harm the occupants. Police officials said tension escalated quickly after rumours spread that a boy had claimed to experience “visions” involving Shangpliang and believed he had been placed under some form of spell. The unverified allegation ignited panic in the neighbourhood, prompting a crowd to assemble and surround the house, despite the absence of any evidence to support the claim. Authorities described the situat...

In a significant step towards enhancing tourism infrastructure in Meghalaya, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Minister of Communications, along with Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, tomorrow will lay the foundation stone for the Integrated Development of Sohra Tourism Circuit in Sohra. The event is being organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Ministry of DoNER. It signifies the Union Government’s continued commitment to unlocking the tourism and livelihood potential of the North Eastern Region. Shri Timothy D. Shira, Minister of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, will also be present on the occasion. The project, worth more than Rs 200 crore funded under...