Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma assures Development of Nokrek area

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday said that under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD, the demand for connecting road to different villages would be initiated.

Conrad informed this while on a visit to Dura Kalakgre village in West Garo Hills where he discussed measures to initiate welfare and development of the village and its adjoining area.

Dura Kalakgre village is the main source of water for the town of Tura.

The village is located on the foothills of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.

“The villages in the foothills of Nokrek are lush green and beautiful. By enhancing connectivity and creating basic amenities, we will be able to market the villages as eco-tourism destination in Garo Hills,” the Chief Minister said.

He assured to consider the demand for enhancing water supply in the villages.

“Dura Kalakgre and adjoining villages have been generously contributing for the supply of potable water to Tura town but the irony has been that no attention was given in the past for these villages. We will provide thrust to ensure that our government is able to repay back and ensure basic development in these villages,” Conrad added.

The area is remote in terms of location as connectivity is a hurdle. The Chief Minister acknowledged the demand for a setting of sub-health centers in the area to cater to the need of the village. He has issued a directive to the department to consider the demand of the area in the next financial year for setting up a sub-health center at Dura Kalakgre.

On promoting tourism in Nokrek and the adjoining villages, he said that the US was keen to collect the remains of a plane that crashed during the World War-II in the area and urged the locals to preserve the site.

He informed that Rs 22 crore has been sanctioned to develop roads and Rs 12 crore for construction of a View Point and a rest area in Nokrek, while Rs 600 crore is expected from the World Bank for the catchment protection and for evolving a sustainable alternative to jhum cultivation along the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.

At Dura Kalakgre village, about 40 km from Tura, villagers of Oragitok, Chandigre, Tosekgre, Baladingre, and Sakalgre assembled to express their concerns and also placed before the Chief Minister issues pertaining to the development of the village and its adjoining areas on the foothills of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.

The main road to the village is under construction and the villagers had sought for his intervention for its early completion. They have also sought his intervention for improving connectivity between Dura Kalakgre and other neighboring villages to enhance connectivity for transportation of agriculture and horticulture produces.

The farmers of the area are mainly involved in orange plantation and squash plantation. The site is adjacent to Nokrek Reserve has a potential for tourism and the people have also sought for development of basic amenities to cater to the need of visiting tourist.

Village headmen of Dura Kalakgre, Tosekgre, Sakalgre and Baladingre submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister to consider their demands. The Chief Minister assured them to take up the memorandums on an urgent basis.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister Thomas A. Sangma and Government Chief Whip Marcuise Marak. The road to the village is still under construction.

Also Read: Meghalaya News