Meghalaya Archives - Page 198 of 239

Meghalaya confirms Lungchun Khur as India’s 10th longest cave

17Mar

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya confirms Lungchun Khur as India’s 10th longest cave

At an astounding 13,618 meters, Lungchun Khur has been confirmed by a big caving expedition in Meghalaya as the ninth longest limestone cave and the tenth longest cave in India. During the "Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Expedition" that took place from February 2–28, international teams documented 22,663 meters of cave passages that had never been explored before. With intricate networks of relic passageways, inlet formations, and boulder chokes, the recently ranked Lungchun Khur has enormous underground river passages that are up to 30 meters wide and high. The discovery, which was located beneath the Muallian Spur, was especially noteworthy because specialists had previously thought that the region lacked large cave networks. The general secretary of the Meghalaya Adventurers Ass...

NIT Meghalaya hosts three MSME-sponsored training programmes

17Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

NIT Meghalaya hosts three MSME-sponsored training programmes

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya successfully hosted three five-day training programmes sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) from March 10 to March 14 at its Shohra campus. The programmes were inaugurated by Chief Guest Satinder K. Bhalla, Deputy Director General of the Department of Telecommunications, and Guest of Honour Bijit Goswami, Executive Director (Tech-Operation & Maintenance) of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO). The sessions were conducted under the leadership of NIT Meghalaya Director Prof. Pinakeswar Mahanta. The training focused on three key areas: Advanced Management Development – Data Science and AI for Management DevelopmentEntrepreneurial Skill Development Programme (ESDP) – Aw...

Meghalaya groups deport 4 individuals from Assam

17Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya groups deport 4 individuals from Assam

Four individuals were deported on Saturday by the KSU and the FKJGP Jowai unit after they failed to produce valid documents to prove their identity. The individuals were trying to enter Sohmynting village in West Jaiñtia Hills when they were detained by the groups led by FKJGP leaders L Dhar, and M Pyrtuh along with the members of the KSU Jowai Unit. The four persons who claimed they were from Assam were sent back after they failed to produce proper documents. At the same time, the organisations has also issued a warning against anyone trying to enter the state without proper documentation.

Meghalaya CM promises to address complaints regarding NH-6 repair work

14Mar

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya CM promises to address complaints regarding NH-6 repair work

If formal complaints are filed, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has promised tough measures against poor building. "We will definitely take action if there are any concerns or complaints that are brought to our attention in writing," he told the media. He made these comments in response to a request for an impartial quality audit of the National Highway 6 (NH-6) rehabilitation work made by Voice of the People Party (VPP) Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon. Syngkon pointed out significant shortcomings in road construction standards in a letter sent on Tuesday to Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. In response to the worries, Sangma stressed the value of public vigilance while acknowledging the challenge of keeping an eye on the many projects that are now u...

Byrnihat declared world’s most polluted, Meghalaya CM questions Assam’s AQI data

13Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Byrnihat declared world’s most polluted, Meghalaya CM questions Assam’s AQI data

Byrnihat, a bustling industrial town on the Assam-Meghalaya border, has been named the world's most polluted metropolitan area in the recently released 2024 World Air Quality Report. However, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has cast doubts over the accuracy of this ranking, attributing the alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) figures to an Assam-based monitoring station. Expressing his concerns, Sangma emphasized that the pollution data being widely reported originates from a station in Assam, not Meghalaya. "All the records cited in newspaper reports are based on AQI measurements taken from Assam's monitoring station, which recorded very poor air quality," he stated. "However, when we analyzed data from three monitoring stations in Meghalaya in January 2025, our readings indicated air...

NTPC’s outstanding dues of Rs 565 cr to be cleared by 2026-27: Mondal

13Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

NTPC’s outstanding dues of Rs 565 cr to be cleared by 2026-27: Mondal

The Meghalaya government is optimistic about clearing the dues of NTPC Limited worth Rs 565 crore by 2026-27. Replying to a cut motion in the Assembly on Wednesday, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal said the initial loan of Rs 488 crore was neutralised to some extent by a loan of Rs 244 crore in 2023. Still, due to interest and other charges, the loans accumulated to Rs 664 crore. Following this, the state government met with NTPC officials, which gave a rebate of Rs 99 crore, thereby reducing the loan component to Rs 565 crore. The NTPC initially asked the government to clear the dues in 20 instalments but agreed to the state government’s request for payment in 36 instalments. As of now, the MeECL is paying Rs 15.7 crore to the NTPC every month and it is confident of clearing the dues b...

Meghalaya High Court orders detailed report on plastic ban enforcement

12Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya High Court orders detailed report on plastic ban enforcement

The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to submit a detailed report on the implementation of the plastic ban, particularly for items less than 120 microns in thickness. During a hearing on PIL No. 7 of 2024, a bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh reviewed progress reports from Block Development Officers (BDOs) but found them lacking in specific details. "We are satisfied with the action taken so far by the government, but we treat this as only the beginning of the journey," the bench stated, stressing the need for continuous and stricter enforcement. The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by Phuyosa Yobin, seeks a complete plastic ban across Meghalaya. The court had earlier issued directives on August 16, 2024, followed by specific or...

Nongthymmai loses to Rangdajied United 5-1 in the season finale

12Mar

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya, Sports

Nongthymmai loses to Rangdajied United 5-1 in the season finale

Rangdajied United FC defeated Nongthymmai SC 5-1 on March 11 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, to wrap up their OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 campaign. Rangdajied's goals came from Mebanaibok Kharbudnah (40'), Pasborlang Khonglikong (43', 64'), and Freddy Jyrwa (54', 69'). Michaelson Kurbah (86') gave Nongthymmai a late consolation goal. Since both clubs lost their most recent games, this was a game for pride and an opportunity to finish the season on a strong note. Prior to today, RUFC and Nongthymmai were confirmed in third and ninth place, respectively. Rangdajied concluded with 11 victories, 2 draws, and 5 losses, earning them 35 points, whereas Nongthymmai, who will be demoted to the First Division for the upcoming season, finished with three wins, two draws, and 13...

KSU members protest against MSIPF and Railway project in Shillong

11Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

KSU members protest against MSIPF and Railway project in Shillong

The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) staged a protest on Tuesday, marching towards the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in Rilbong against the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation (MSIPF) Act 2024 and other issues. However, security forces halted them at Garrison Bridge. The protest was fuelled by concerns over the MSIPF Act, which KSU claims threatens the tribal community and violates the Meghalaya Land Transfer Regulation Act, 1971. The government recently introduced an amendment-the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (Amendment) Bill 2025-removing paragraph 34 and adding a clause stating that the Act would not override the Land Transfer Act. However, KSU remains unconvinced and demands its complete repeal. KSU General Secretary Donald Thabah emphasised tha...

Meghalaya CM unveils $10 bn economy roadmap

11Mar

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya CM unveils $10 bn economy roadmap

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled Meghalaya’s ambitious roadmap to achieve Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 85,787 crore, approximately USD 10 billion, by the 2028 fiscal. During his reply to the debate on the budget, Sangma, who also holds the finance portfolio, highlighted the transformative infrastructure projects, enhanced investment strategies, and citizen-centric schemes. He expressed confidence that the state’s development trajectory will reshape its economic landscape. He thanked the members for their participation in the budget discussions, mentioning that a record 34 of them took part. He underscored that Meghalaya’s budget tripled over the past decade, rising from Rs 9,858 crore during 2012-18 to Rs 27,072 crore in 2024-25. Investments from Externally Aided...