Regular Bus Service from Shillong to Sylhet Likely Soon: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma

Shillong, January 26, 2020:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, during his address on the 71st Republic Day of India, stated that his Government has extended its hand to neighboring Bangladesh, and to further facilitate trade and commerce, the MDA regime is soon going to start a regular bus-service between Shillong (Meghalaya) and Sylhet (Bangladesh).

To improve ties with Bangladesh and facilitate commerce with the newly emerging economic superpower, Sangma said that the Meghalaya Government is also taking steps to improve the infrastructure at the entry and exit points, border haats and land custom stations so that the movement of people and goods can be streamlined.

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Steps are being taken for improvement of facilities at the Immigration Office at Dawki on the Indian side, he said. "In the agriculture sector, we are exploring the possibility of Cassava plantation in Garo Hills which has an export market in Bangladesh. We are also in touch with Bangladesh’s top food processing firms like Pran and studying opportunities for collaboration", Sangma informed.

During his address, the Chief Minister remembered Meghalaya’s own patriots namely U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah and Pa Togan N. Sangma and many other unsung heroes, and also greeted members of the Armed Forces, Paramilitary forces and the Police force.

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"I believe each one of us has a responsibility to take up such small, but very significant, individual actions so that this complex problem can be addressed. For example, each one of us, at an individual level, can reduce the utilization of single-use plastic, and start using water and other resources more judiciously", Sangma added, talking about the necessity to preserve the environment on an 'individual-scale'.

The CM also informed that the Government will soon undertake initiatives to save power, and said that the Government plans to install 1,80,000 smart electricity meters in the State. "This includes establishment of fully functional modern smart meters based on Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology with real time connectivity to a central data centre. This will result in more efficient utilisation of power and reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses", the CM explained.

Reaching the latter part of his address, the CM congratulated the athletes of the State for excelling in the sports arena.

Talking along the lines of the upcoming National Games in Meghalaya, the CM informed that the competition venues for the different sports have been finalised in consultation with the various sports Associations and the Meghalaya State Olympic Association. Land has been finalized and earmarked for development of sports and ancillary infrastructure.

The CM also congratulated the recipients of the Meghalaya Day awards for the year - Pradip Kurbah, Dominic Megam Sangma, Bro Jose Joseph Kolangauil and Tlanding Wahlang.

"I want to appeal to all the citizens to collaborate with the Government in working on our ambitious development agenda.  Let us all rededicate ourselves to the values and principles enshrined in our constitution", Sangma stated, winding up his address.

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