Meghalaya

Rifiness Warjri, a 20-year-old National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet and St. Anthony's College student, became the third woman from the state to successfully climb Mount Everest, marking a proud moment for Meghalaya and the NCC. As a member of an NCC excursion team consisting of ten cadets, with an average age of 19, the achievement was completed on Sunday. An important milestone for the NCC's mountaineering program was attained when the team unfurled the Indian national flag and reached the 8,848.86-meter summit. Warjri's extraordinary strength and dedication were highlighted by the fact that she was the only cadet chosen from the whole Northeast region for the high-altitude excursion. She had already climbed Mount Abi Gamin (7,355 meters) in Uttarakhand as part of her training, so this is...

The East Khasi Hills District administration has imposed an immediate ban on the unauthorised discharge of untreated sewage and waste into the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers in Shillong. District Magistrate RM Kurbah issued the emergency order on May 13 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing alarming test results from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. The report highlighted high levels of Biological Oxygen Demand and Faecal Coliform at critical points, indicating continued deterioration of water quality. The ban specifically targets six highly contaminated locations: Umshyrpi near Law College and Umshyrpi Bridge, Umkhrah at Demthring, Umkaliar, near the Mawlai Phudmuri slaughterhouse, and Mawpdang Mawlai. “Such pollution not only contamina...

According to officials, the Bangladeshi government has not yet authorized the reopening of two important border haats in Meghalaya: Kalaichar in South West Garo Hills and Balat in East Khasi Hills. Among the first four haats created in 2012 to formalize informal, small-scale trade between border villages, these are situated along the zero line of the India-Bangladesh boundary. Since an interim administration was established in Bangladesh ten months ago, they have been shuttered. A senior official from Meghalaya's Industries department stated that "the border haats remained closed for the past 10 months since an interim government was installed in Bangladesh," adding that Dhaka has not replied to repeated correspondence from Indian officials. Hundreds of vendors and locals who depend on...

The Wahumkhrah River is one of Shillong's most polluted waterways. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led a critical meeting with officials and representatives of civil society on Thursday to develop a specific action plan for cleaning and revitalizing the river. The government's increased efforts to combat long-standing environmental degradation are highlighted by Sangma's statement that "strategic zones will be identified, with enhanced surveillance in vulnerable areas where littering and improper garbage disposal remain major challenges." "We will also investigate whether bioremediation methods can effectively clean the river." The Chief Minister emphasized that although physical cleanup measures are currently in progress, institutional actions by themselves would not be adequate. "Act...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, during his visit to Wahlyngkhat, Pynursla, announced an allocation of Rs 30 crore for the development of the Living Root Experience Center, aimed at enhancing tourism and preserving the state's unique natural heritage. Taking to his official X handle, the Meghalaya CM informed that he visited the site ensuring seamless tourist experience. "At Wahlyngkhat in Pynursla to see the site for the Living Root Experience Center and also the upgradation of the trekking route leading to the beautiful Living Root Bridges for a better experience for tourists and hikers," he wrote on X.

The Meghalaya government is rolling out tourism projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore, encouraged by a significant growth in the state’s tourism sector. Speaking at an event on Thursday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said Shillong and Meghalaya have emerged as top travel destinations for both domestic and international tourists. Noting that Meghalaya has two five-star hotels, he said plans are afoot for the establishment of three more luxury hotels in Shillong. He revealed that some 700 homestay projects are underway. He said the government aims to increase this number to 2,500 in the near future given increased footfall of tourists. On infrastructure development, Sangma said the expansion of the Shillong Airport at Umroi is expected to begin by September this year and be completed by Ma...

Meghalaya has transitioned from being a power-deficient to a power-surplus state, Power Minister AT Mondal announced on Thursday. He, however, said the status depends on favourable weather and uninterrupted functioning of the hydroelectric units. “All the power generating units of the state are working optimally now,” Mondal said, noting that the total generation stands at 360.75 megawatts, supplemented by Meghalaya’s share from central utilities according to power purchase agreements. “Our power surplus status will continue as long as all our units are in running condition,” he said. For instance, the state loses 42 megawatts if one unit of the Leshka power project is down. Even a minor mechanical fault can affect generation, he explained. Mondal said the government is planning lon...

Conrad K. Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya, attended the Thursday foundation-laying ceremony for the Seng Khasi Kmie Indigenous Cultural Centre in Mawkhar, Shillong. For the Seng Khasi organization, which has been preserving Khasi cultural identity for 125 years, the center is a significant accomplishment. When finished, the building will showcase indigenous customs and function as a tourist destination and instructional tool. "It will not only deepen Seng Khasi's efforts in preserving our language, beliefs, and way of life, but also offer a space for visitors to experience the richness of Khasi culture," Sangma told the crowd. The center's role in cultural continuity was emphasized by the chief minister, who called it "a living legacy" that will link future generations to their...

The Jaintia Students' Union (JSU) has urged the Meghalaya government to declare Jowai as the Summer Capital of the state, should Tura be granted Winter Capital status. The demand comes as an All-Party Committee continues deliberations on the proposed winter capital move. JSU General Secretary Neilkee Mukhim stated that the proposal seeks to ensure balanced development and equal recognition for Meghalaya’s three major indigenous communities — the Jaintias, Khasis, and Garos. “If Tura becomes the Winter Capital, Jowai must be considered for Summer Capital to uphold regional equity,” Mukhim asserted. The students' body expressed concern over the continued neglect of the Jaintia Hills region, citing poor infrastructure and lack of investment. The JSU warned that excluding Jowai from capita...

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that the Shillong Government College of Engineering has officially been approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to offer courses in electrical and civil engineering, marking a significant milestone for Meghalayan higher education. The Chief Minister posted on social media, "Happy to announce that Shillong Government College of Engineering has received the Letter of Approval from AICTE for launching Civil and Electrical Engineering courses." "This signifies the founding of Meghalaya's first government engineering college." The building is regarded as a major step toward developing the state's technical education infrastructure and giving local students the chance to pursue engineering degrees without having to relocate....