SHILLONG, OCT 17: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday said the government has sanctioned Rs 380 crore for the Nongstoin-Ranikor road and travel time on the Nongstoin-Maweit stretch has been reduced from 3-4 hours to 45 minutes, marking a major development push for Nongstoin.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the 2nd MLA Cup 2026 at Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills, Dhar said the town, which earlier missed urban schemes, has seen rapid transformation in the last 3-4 years.
“In the last 3-4 years earlier, urban schemes did not enter Nongstoin town but now there is no dearth of development, from roads, lanes, footpaths,” he said.
Dhar said Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday laid foundation stones for several key projects, including the long-awaited Sohpian-Nongstoin road.
“Yesterday Prestone just laid the foundation stone for many projects, one is Sohpian-Nongstoin road which you have all been longing for. I remember Nongstoin-Maweit road everyone was longing for, instead of travelling 3-4 hours, now only 45 minutes,” he said.
Listing other sanctions, he said, “We have sanctioned Rs 380 crore and work is going on continuously, from Nongstoin to Ranikor, at Balat, Mawsynram at Welloi. From Welloi in Mawsynram about less than Rs 200 crore, from Mawsynram to Umpung to Ranikor Rs 274 crore.”
Stressing that development is not limited to roads, Dhar added, “Developments are not only roads, including the health sector. We understand if there is no development, there is no economy, that is why we try to focus on all sides, especially how to bring development to Nongstoin town.”
On sports, Dhar said Meghalaya’s passion for football has been acknowledged even by the FIFA President and the government is backing it with infrastructure.
“We as a government focus a lot on the sports sector because our state is one of the states in the country that loves football very much. Even the President of FIFA has acknowledged Meghalaya’s passion for football. It is not that we only speak with words, the government also acts with deeds,” he said.
He said Meghalaya is among states with the highest number of artificial turfs in India and is building one of the country’s biggest football stadiums.
“I will tell you that within the whole of India we can be one of states with the most artificial turfs. One of biggest football stadiums in the country we are building at Mawkhanu which has 40,000 capacity with expenditure of not less than Rs 732 crore,” he said.
“We are proud as a state to show we are well equipped in sports infrastructure. Many nationals and internationals come to our state because they know Meghalaya is well equipped,” Dhar added.
On the demand for a stadium in Nongstoin, he said, “Before coming to this meeting, the elders highlighted the need for this stadium. First phase, they have sent proposals, from the government side we have also prepared sanctions.”
On the objective of the MLA Cup, Dhar said,”One objective is to foster unity and closeness among residents of this constituency. The second is to strengthen that unity through sports, so that our youth stay away from unproductive and harmful activities. We look forward to the day when talented players from here will represent Nongstoin at the state level and Meghalaya at the national level.”
He lauded the organisers, saying such tournaments involve huge expenditure but help youth progress at different levels.
Also Read: CWSSU takes mental health awareness drive to Damalgre community
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
The post Dhar announces ₹380-Crore Nongstoin–Ranikor road project appeared first on Hub News.