Jowai, November 5: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects worth approximately ₹200 crore across West Jaintia Hills district, covering healthcare, roads, education, sports infrastructure, water supply and tourism. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh and other senior officials.
Among the major highlights of the visit was the laying of the foundation stone for the ₹53-crore, 100-bedded Ummulong Integrated Hospital at Ummulong Community Health Centre (CHC), which will provide modern medical and diagnostic facilities under one roof. The proposed hospital will also include a 25-bedded rehabilitation centre to provide detoxification and rehabilitation services for individuals affected by substance abuse.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said healthcare remained a major priority of the state government, with nearly nine per cent of the state budget allocated to the sector. However, he stressed that financial investment alone could not ensure quality healthcare without adequate infrastructure, skilled medical personnel and logistical support. He said the government had been working over the past eight years to address shortages of doctors and healthcare workers, while the development of medical colleges in Shillong and Tura would further strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.
Emphasising the importance of accessible medical services, particularly in rural areas, Sangma said the government was committed to bringing essential healthcare facilities closer to people’s homes. The proposed Ummulong Integrated Hospital will comprise four floors housing emergency services, outpatient departments, operation theatres, general and specialised wards, intensive care facilities, maternity and paediatric services, a Special Newborn Care Unit, a blood bank, a public health laboratory, dialysis facilities and an AYUSH department.
Sangma credited Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla for conceptualising the hospital project and pursuing the necessary financial support. He also urged healthcare personnel to treat patients with kindness, patience and compassion. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar encouraged residents to make full use of the development initiatives and expressed his desire to see a nursing college and additional healthcare facilities established in the region.
Shylla described the hospital as a major development for Ummulong and its neighbouring villages, saying it would significantly improve access to quality healthcare. Ummulong Waheh Chnong Leo Laloo informed that the Ummulong Dorbar Shnong had donated two plots of land measuring approximately 5.84 acres and 3,520 square metres for the hospital project.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the new Thadlaskein Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block building, besides launching several infrastructure projects across the district. These included the inauguration of road construction, improvement and upgradation works worth ₹50 crore, covering a total distance of 38.163 kilometres across Ialong, Jowai, Madur Thymme, Mukhla and Niriang. Foundation stones were also laid for the ₹3-crore upgradation of the 2.450-km Sabah Muswang Internal Village Road, the ₹3-crore improvement of the 4.085-km internal road at Khliehtyrshi and the ₹5.64-crore construction of the 9.116-km Jongksha–Kharang–Deinglieng–Nongjrong–Wahiajer Road.
Other infrastructure projects included the improvement of the PHE approach road to the Jowai Water Works treatment plant complex at Urkhla, Khimusniang, sanctioned at ₹99.74 lakh, and the ₹7.85-crore improvement of the approach road to the Umngot River water intake arrangement at Sohmynting under the renovation of the Jowai Water Supply Scheme.
In the sports sector, Sangma laid the foundation stone for a ₹17-crore synthetic athletic track, along with the upgradation of the football playground, VIP gallery and fencing at Kiang Nangbah Stadium in Jowai. He also laid the foundation stone for a ₹19.40-crore aquatic complex in Jowai, an ₹8.14-crore artificial football ground at Mukhla Sohhshrieh, retaining walls around the same ground costing ₹3.65 crore, and a ₹2.65-crore football ground with VIP gallery and protective fencing at Mukhla Umlangshor. Another ₹75-lakh project will provide retaining walls and boundary fencing to protect the football ground at Madan Thad Mukhla.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Shooting Range Complex at Khliehtyrshi, constructed at a cost of ₹1.25 crore. Following the inauguration, he tried his hand at shooting and interacted with players at the facility. In the education sector, Sangma inaugurated the new school building of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jowai, and laid foundation stones for additional buildings at Kiang Nangbah Government Higher Secondary School and new Lower Primary School buildings at Mukhla Sohshrieh, Niriang and Mokaswan.A ₹2.49-crore boundary fencing project at Thomas Jones Synod College, Jowai, was also among the works launched.
In the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Lad Mukhla Health and Wellness Centre and Madur Sub-Centre, besides laying foundation stones for new sub-centres at Ksehrynchang, Sabah and Ialong.
During the programme, four sportspersons from the district were felicitated for their achievements in international competitions. Sawakani Lakiang was honoured for winning gold in the Women’s Bikini Model (Pro Division) at the South East Asia Championship 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand, while Pritam Sunar was recognised for clinching the Mr South East Asia title at the same championship. Chemi-I-Nongpluh and Riwodmiki Lyngdoh were also felicitated for winning gold medals in Wushu at the 1st Indo-Bhutan International Games. The programme included the distribution of startup tools to 181 trainees and baby kits to mothers.
As part of his district visit, Sangma inspected the nearly completed Iawmusiang Shopping Complex in Jowai, where he interacted with vendors and reviewed the progress of construction. During an interaction with a visually impaired person, the Chief Minister assured him that he would send him a guitar. He also visited the Thadlaskein Hospitality Complex to inspect the progress of development work.
The Chief Minister informed that his day’s schedule comprised 28 programmes, including seven inaugurations, 16 foundation stone-laying ceremonies and other distribution, felicitation and handing-over activities. He said the projects, valued at approximately ₹200 crore, reflected the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen infrastructure, improve public services and accelerate development across West Jaintia Hills district.
