Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit to Meghalaya remained hectic on the first day on Saturday.
He started the day with the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for some projects in Meghalaya.
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Shah, who landed at the Umroi Airport at noon, drove straight to the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) at Umïam and laid the foundation stone of a multi-facility convention and exhibition centre there.
From NESAC, he went to inaugurate the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawlai Mawïong in Shillong.
The event was attended by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, Union DoNER minister G. Kishan Reddy, MoS for science and technology Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS for DoNER BL Verma, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, transport minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, other ministers and a host of other dignitaries.
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After this, Shah inaugurated the Cryogenic Oxygen plant at Umsawli in the New Shillong Township and visited the Paediatric Unit at Covid Stepdown Hospital there.
In the evening, the Union Home Minister held a meeting with all chief ministers of states from the Northeast which was followed by a meeting with various organisations from Meghalaya at the State Convention Centre.
In his address at the inauguration of the ISBT, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said it is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect all Northeast state capitals by road, rail and air by 2024.
He hoped that the new ISBT in Shillong would accelerate economic activities, and facilitate better connectivity for passenger and goods vehicles.
“Being the capital of the erstwhile undivided Assam, it is natural and befitting that Shillong be connected with the other seven northeastern states. This will help in improving the economy and progress of Meghalaya and other Northeast states,” he said.
Hon’ble Home Minister flagged off the first fleet of buses at ISBT pic.twitter.com/S6W8GuiS3O
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) July 24, 2021
He said good connectivity is essential to the region as a whole for its development, security and to bring back its old glory.
“IT connectivity is very crucial for development and progress and the Government of India has laid emphasis to ensure that IT-enabled services reach every corner in the country so that people can reap its benefit from the comfort of their homes,” the Union Home Minister added.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma thanked the Union Home Minister for visiting the state.
“The central government is concerned about the progress and development of the Northeast. The visit of the Union Home Minister during the parliament session only goes to prove that the Government of India gives due importance for the economic progress of the region,” Sangma said.
He said road connectivity is paramount for ensuring accelerated growth and development in the region. The economic and business activities can only flourish if there is the infrastructure to facilitate transport communication.
“Northeast has potential for economic activities with its neighbouring nations and good transport facilities will pave the way and foster better trade and communication not only for the region but for the country as a whole,” Sangma added.