Meghalaya

In a pioneering step toward integrating technology with patient care, the DAE-Civil Hospital Cancer Wing, Shillong, has initiated a VR-Assisted Guided Imagery Therapy and Study on 8th May 2025. Spearheaded by the State Cancer Society of Meghalaya in collaboration with Ojaska Labs LLP and supported by SMRATA Trust, this initiative explores the therapeutic use of Virtual Reality (VR) to alleviate treatment-related distress and enhance the emotional well-being of cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiation.  An official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also held during the event, marking the collaboration between the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, Ojaska Labs LLP, and SMRATA Trust. This partnership formalizes joint efforts in deploying...

Several urban development projects are being closely monitored by the Meghalaya High Court in an effort to make Shillong "a modern, clean and well-administered city," according to court documents made public. During a hearing on two related Public Interest Litigations (PIL No. 17 of 2021 and PIL No. 9 of 2024), a division bench headed by Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh examined an action taken report that the Commissioner and Secretary had submitted to the Government of Meghalaya's Urban Affairs Department. In March, the court had directed authorities to implement on a "war footing" several major initiatives, including: Demarcation of parking and no-parking zones, Acquisition of 35 state-of-the-art buses to reduce private transport, Implementation of a Shared Mobility I...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday announced that the new Secretariat building at Umsawli is scheduled for completion by mid-2027, during an inspection of the construction site of the much-anticipated administrative complex in New Shillong Township. Accompanied by officials from the Planning and Urban Affairs Department, the chief minister reviewed the progress of the Rs 1,188-crore project, which is currently underway in full swing. The foundation stone for the Secretariat was laid on January 21, 2025. “The excavation and foundation work is going on at a fast pace. Happy with the progress and expect the work to be completed on time, and we are expecting mid-2027 for the project to be completed,” Sangma said during the site visit. “This iconic building will lay the foundatio...

The Meghalaya government has issued an order, imposing night curfew along the Indo-Bangladesh international border from 8 AM to 6 PM in the districts of East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills. The order cites the likelihood of infiltration by members of proscribed militant groups, smugglers, and other illegal actors due to the porous and unfenced nature of the border in the three districts. It prohibits, movement of people at the International Border with the intention to cross the international boundary with Bangladesh or sneak into the Indian Territory. Movement of people intending to cross the international boundary, unauthorised procession or unlawful assembly of five or more people and carrying arms or other instruments which can be used as weapons in and arou...

The long-awaited expansion of the Shillong Airport runway has taken a significant step forward following a high-level meeting between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Taking to social media, CM Sangma expressed gratitude to Scindia for his support and said the state government is committed to completing all formalities to begin the upgrade work promptly. The meeting comes days after the Meghalaya High Court ordered authorities to fast-track the project, citing limited connectivity and frequent flight cancellations due to the airport’s short runway. The court noted that Shillong Airport currently accommodates only ATR aircraft, causing inconvenience to residents and tourists and hampering the state’s economy. The expansion requires ...

The Meghalaya government is expediting the construction of border fencing along the India-Bangladesh boundary, especially in areas that remain unfenced. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday directed the deputy commissioners of East and West Jaintia Hills districts to speed up the work, citing national and regional security concerns. Tynsong noted that over 40 km of the border in Meghalaya is still without fencing, hampering surveillance by the Border Security Force (BSF). “It’s our top priority. The situation along the border demands urgent attention, especially after recent terrorist incidents in the region,” he said. A major hurdle has been land acquisition, particularly along 33–34 km in West Jaintia Hills and 7–8 km in East Khasi Hills. Tynsong expressed confidence tha...

In a fresh round of organisational appointments, Congress on Tuesday approved the appointment of state chairpersons for key departments in the Tripura, Meghalaya and Odisha units. According to an official release, Sanjoy Das has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Fishermen Congress Department, while Malin Sadhan Jamatia will head the Ex-Servicemen Department in Tripura, with immediate effect. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has also cleared new leadership for the party's Social Media Department in Meghalaya. Lang Kapur War has been named Chairman, and Cuthbert Sohtun has been appointed as Co-Chairman of the department. Both appointments take effect immediately. These appointments are part of the Congress party's ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational framewor...

People in Meghalaya will witness a brief but significant simulation of wartime emergency protocols across the country on Wednesday. The mock drill on air raid precautions, mandated by the Centre, includes a two-minute blackout at 6:30 pm and is aimed at testing the preparedness of civil defence systems in the event of a hostile attack. “The mock exercise on air raid precaution measures will be conducted tomorrow from 4 pm onwards. The air raid siren will be sounded at 6:30 pm, and there will be a blackout exercise (power shutdown) for two minutes immediately after the siren is sounded. The general public is requested not to panic as it will be a part of a mock exercise,” the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards said. The Joint Director of Civil Defence, MK Sangma, explained the...

The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Meghalaya has suspended its ongoing recruitment process following protests led by local social organisations, including the Khasi Students Union (KSU). The protestors have demanded the implementation of an 80:20 female-to-male employee ratio, revision of the roster registry, and establishment of state-wide examination centres. These demands prompted an urgent meeting chaired by government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh on Monday. "In view of these developments, it was decided that until all matters are sorted out, the NEIGRIHMS will halt the entire recruitment process," Lyngdoh said, expressing hope for a resolution within a week. The state government also plans to escalate unresolved ma...

Aiming to ease traffic congestion on the busy GS Road, the state government has come up with a proposal to construct an elevated four-lane road from Umiam to Rilbong, bypassing the Umiam dam. Once completed, the proposed four-lane road will ease the restrictions on heavy vehicles, including night super buses, from entering the city through the Umiam dam. The restrictions have been in place for over a year following the retrofitting work on the dam. The proposed 14.85-km road will bypass the Umiam dam and could lead to the Shillong-Dawki road or an overpass from Rilbong to Barik, provided it is approved by the NHIDCL. The government has assigned a consultant team to prepare the DPR detailing the alignment and the feasibility of the proposed road. If approved, the travel time and dist...