Meghalaya

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday clarified that the proposed Taj Resort and Spa in Umiam will be developed at the existing Orchid Umiam property, and not on Lumpongdeng Island. Issuing his second clarification in two days amid growing concerns over the project, Sangma said the main hotel structure and core infrastructure would be constructed at the Orchid site, while Lumpongdeng Island would be used only for limited activities involving temporary structures. In a video statement, the Chief Minister stated that the island would host controlled tourism-related activities, with provisions for temporary installations such as tents and similar facilities, while avoiding permanent construction. He emphasised that the project is part of a broader and "holistic tourism strategy" aimed ...

Retired High Court judge B.R. Kataky carried out a detailed inspection of coal mining areas in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills on April 8, focusing on steps taken to check illegal mining and transportation.The visit covered several key locations in the state’s mining belt. In West Khasi Hills, Kataky visited Hatiabari, where he reviewed ground-level mining activities and assessed whether rules are being followed. He also interacted with officials and suggested measures to improve monitoring systems and close gaps in enforcement. In North Garo Hills, the retired judge inspected Smart Coal Gates at Sarangma and checked transport points to see how coal movement is being tracked. He also visited Mendipathar Railway Station, which is an important coal loading point, and examined...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said that no permanent construction will be allowed on Lumpongdeng Island, addressing growing public concern over proposed activities at the ecologically sensitive site. In a public statement, the Chief Minister clarified that the agreement signed between the state government and the tourism department clearly bars any permanent structures on the island. He said fears about the island being turned into a concrete tourist hub are “completely wrong” and not based on facts. Sangma explained that only temporary arrangements will be allowed during specific events. These may include shamianas, pandals and small stalls, which will be set up for a short period. He added that all such structures will be removed within seven to ten days after the even...

The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) on Friday announced a significant academic achievement by Dr. Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Assistant Professor from the Department of Applied Biology and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Senior Collaborator, who has contributed to a major global research publication in the prestigious The Lancet Infectious Diseases (Impact Factor: 31). The research paper, titled “Global burden of lower respiratory infections and etiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023,” represents one of the most comprehensive global assessments of lower respiratory infections to date. The study provides an extensive evaluation of the prevalence, causative factors and long-term trends of lower respiratory infections o...

Meghalaya Government today felicitated SSLC Toppers of Khasi and Jaintia Hills district at his residence today. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui Lahkmen Rymbui were also present on the occasion and toppers also shared their experience of clearing their examination.

Members of the Green-Tech Foundation intensified their protest against a proposed five-star tourism project on Lumpongdeng Island by staging a demonstration in front of the Secretariat on Friday. The group also announced an indefinite hunger strike, expressing strong opposition to the state government’s decision to include the island in a large-scale resort development project.Lumpongdeng Island, located in the middle of Umiam Lake, has become the focal point of growing environmental concerns. The project, reportedly awarded to a company associated with the Taj group of hotels, has sparked debate over its potential ecological impact. Protesters argue that the island’s fragile ecosystem could be severely damaged if heavy machinery is brought in for construction.The Green-Tech Foundation ha...

Expressing serious concern over the alleged negligence of the state government and the Health Department, in providing doctors at two health centres, the youth of the Mawhati area have threatened to closed the Mawhati PHC and Mawlasnai PHC if doctors are not immediately appointed along with the supply of essential medicines. Regarding the shortage of doctors at these two Primary Health Centres (PHCs), a group of youths from Mawhati met the District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO) in Nongpoh and submitted a memorandum demanding the urgent deployment of doctors at both facilities. Speaking to the media, Shanlang Diengdoh and Donald Muktieh expressed deep concern over the difficulties faced by residents of the Mawhati area, which comprises hundreds of villages, as they has been s...

Shillong is gearing up for a major boost to its motorsports scene as the Meghalaya Motorsports Society (MMS) held a press briefing at the Shillong Press Club to announce the upcoming MRF MO-GRIP SUPERCROSS FMSCI National Championship. The event is expected to bring high-octane racing action to the Northeast and place Meghalaya firmly on the national motorsport map. Addressing the media, MMS Vice-President Easter Giselle Kharkongor said the championship will be organized in collaboration with Godspeed Racing from Pune, bringing professional supercross racing standards to the region for the first time. Kharkongor emphasized that the event aims not only to showcase thrilling racing but also to encourage youth participation and develop a motorsport culture in Meghalaya. Organizers also ...

Amid uproar against the proposed luxury resort and spa project at Lumpongdeng Island in Umiam Lake, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday sought to allay public concerns, stating clearly that no permanent construction would be allowed on the island. Addressing media persons in Shillong, the Chief Minister said the agreement signed between the State government and the Tourism Department, explicitly specified that no permanent structures would be permitted on the site. Sangma further dismissed apprehensions that the island would be turned into a concrete setup. “Temporary arrangements such as shamianas, pandals and stalls will only be allowed for limited durations during events, after which they will be dismantled,” the Chief Minister said, adding that such short-term...

A meeting convened by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta M Kurbah on Thursday has resolved the standoff between the Dorbar Shnong of Golflink and the Shillong Club over the management and use of the historic Shillong Golf Course. The meeting, attended by members of the Shillong Club's Board of Directors, representatives of the Dorbar Shnong, Seng Samla members, and local MLA Alexander Laloo Hek, came a day after the Dorbar Shnong shut the gates of the iconic course, alleging lack of response from the club despite repeated attempts at dialogue. Following the talks, the Dorbar Shnong agreed to reopen the gates after the Shillong Club accepted all key demands and assured close coordination with the shnong on matters related to the golf course. The demands included free entry for...