Shillong

The privately-operated iconic Bed Ford buses may be a thing of the past, but Meghalaya’s new government-run “Ka Bos Jong Ngi” service is giving commuters renewed hope that organised bus transport can once again become a reliable feature of life in Shillong. The new fleet of buses, introduced under the Ka Bos Jong Ngi initiative, is receiving an encouraging response from the public, with residents welcoming a service that is more organised, comfortable and punctual than the city’s conventional bus system. At the same time, many hope the government will maintain the fleet properly so it does not suffer the same fate as the SPTS/JNNURM buses, many of which eventually ended up rusting in scrapyards across Shillong. The initiative was launched in February this year with a fleet of 29 air...

Several community leaders and residents of Elaka Nongkhlieh, including former Secretary of Elaka Nongkhlieh Willingson Sukhlain, on July 31, expressed strong support for the proposed Shree Cement Plat during the public hearing conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), citing its potential to boost economic development and create employment opportunities for local youth. Speaking at the hearing, Mr. Nangiaid Pashiang said the people of Bamkhosngi Village welcomed the proposed project and viewed the region's limestone resources as a valuable asset for development. He stated that the project could provide much-needed employment opportunities, particularly at a time when government jobs are limited, and claimed that an overwhelming majority of the villagers support ...

Stakeholders gave a detailed postive presentation on the proposed Shree cement Limestone Plant in Elaka Nongkhlieh / Lum Syrman during the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) hearing on July 31. The leaders outlined the statutory procedures and formalities associated with its implementation of the project, highlighting that all environment compliance measures have been adhered to by the company, keeping all aspects in mind.Ms. S. Langshiang, explained the project's objectives, operational plans, and the environmental management measures proposed by the company. Her presentation also covered the project's potential environmental impacts and the steps that would be taken to protect forests, water resources, and the surrounding ecosystem. According to the presentation, t...

Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community College (DDUCC) for Skill Development, Wahiajer, a constituent college of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), successfully organised an eight-day training programme on "Embroidery & Indigenous Design Techniques" from 22 to 30 July 2026. The programme was conducted with the objective of empowering local youth, particularly women, by equipping them with vocational skills that promote economic independence, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. A total of 30 participants from different sections of the community actively participated in the training. The sessions were conducted by Ms. Heihokwanki Lytan, who served as the Resource Person. Through practical demonstrations and interactive learning sessions, the participants acquired valuable knowle...

Deputy Chief Minister and NPP national vice-president Sniawbhalang Dhar has reminded the voters of Jaintia Hills that the government had waived off Rs 850 crore in pending vehicle dues under One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme. Addressing an election campaign rally for NPP’s Shillong LS bye-election candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Sutnga, Dhar said 1.70 lakh vehicles had defaulted on taxes after Covid-19 and the bans on coal and timber in 2020. Total liabilities had crossed Rs 1050 crore. “If we enforced collection, over 3 lakh people dependent on trucks would lose their livelihood,” the Deputy CM, who also holds the Transport portfolio, said. The cabinet approved waivers of 80% on other taxes and 90% on fitness fees. “Out of Rs 1050 crore, we have waived about Rs 850 crore,” Dhar s...

IIM Shillong today paid a heartfelt tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on the occasion of his 11th death anniversary, commemorating the historic day when the former President of India delivered his final lecture at the Institute on “How to Make Our Planet More Liveable.”As a lasting tribute to Dr. Kalam’s deep association with IIM Shillong, an 8-foot-tall life-size bronze statue of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was unveiled today by Shri Shishir Kumar Bajoria, Chairman, Board of Governors (BoG), IIM Shillong, in the presence of Shri Atul Kulkarni and Shri Nitin Sharma, Members, BoG, Prof. (Dr.) Arun Mohan Sherry, Director, IIM Shillong, Col. Dinesh Adhikari (Retd) CAO along with faculty members, officers, staff, and students of the Institute.The statue, measuring 8 feet in height, 3....

Hundreds of citizens—including children, students, and families—gathered for a peaceful demonstration at Laitumkhrah, Shillong, to express solidarity with students protesting at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, over the NEET examination paper leaks. Organized as “a gathering of the public, for the public,” participants held placards with messages such as “All eyes on Jantar Mantar,” “You need to resign,” and “We see you, we stand with you.” Demonstrators said their primary goal was to show support for Delhi’s students, alleging that peaceful protestors in the capital were met with police lathi-charges and tear gas. The demonstrators demanded that the government take full accountability for the NEET exam paper leaks and urged authorities to respect students’ right to protest without fear...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday announced major progress on the state's aviation infrastructure, stating that the long-awaited expansion of the Umroi Airport runway will begin within the next few weeks, while the Centre has also approved over Rs 60 crore for upgrading Baljek Airport in Garo Hills. Briefing reporters after his visit to New Delhi, Sangma said he met Union Civil Aviation Minister and senior ministry officials to review several aviation projects aimed at improving air connectivity in Meghalaya. "The tender has been completed, the work has been allotted, and we expect that within a few weeks, the actual physical work for the extension of the runway will start," Sangma said. He added that the Union Civil Aviation Minister is expected to visit Shil...

The 13th Regional Principals' Conference of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Silchar Region, commenced at La Nicholas Resort, Shillong. It has brought together Principals from 31 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the four North-Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram for a three-day conference on academic excellence, innovation, and institutional development The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional welcome of the distinguished dignitaries. Dr. Anurag Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, KVS RO Silchar, was accorded a warm reception by the teaching fraternity. He was accompanied by Shri Satyaveer Singh, Assistant Commissioner, KVS RO Silchar, along with senior KVS officials Shri K Alung Khumba, Principal, KV NEHU and Shillong cluster in-charge and Shri M. B. Chettri, Pri...

A year after the brutal ‘Honeymoon Murder’ case exposed the dark underbelly of Shillong’s unregulated rental market, the state government’s promised crackdown has hit a dead end, leaving local associations to conduct their own “vigilante” stings on the streets of Keating Road. On Tuesday, the enforcement gap was laid bare when members of the All Vehicles Rental Association of Meghalaya (AVRAM) took it upon themselves to “apprehend” an unlicensed operator. The individual, caught at Keating Road, reportedly admitted to renting five scooters to tourists without the mandatory license or verification records required under state regulations. While police eventually intervened to initiate legal proceedings, the incident highlights a growing trend of private citizens performing the policin...