Shillong, July 12: A delegation led by Leader of Opposition. Mukul Sangma reviewed the progress of Tura Pine Mount International School, Doldegre, in West Garo Hills, on July 10.
In a statement, Sangma said the reduction of Rs 6 crore from the original sanctioned amount of Rs 46.87 crore, resulted in the removal of key facilities, including the basketball court, tennis court, and volleyball court. Additionally, the planned brick boundary wall was replaced with barbed wire fencing.
The official visit to the project site was to evaluate the physical and financial progress of the project.
Sanctioned in the financial year 2017–18, the school aims to provide affordable and quality education to the region.
He condemned the government for the delay in completing the project and budget reduction,while seeking immediate action to complete and operationalise the school to provide accessible, high-quality education for the region’s students.
Sangma inspected the Administration Block, Academic Block, Hostel Block, and Multipurpose Hall. Officials reported that the project’s physical progress is 98%.
He criticised the state government’s lackadaisical approach, noting that the project, which should have been completed within three years, remains incomplete. after eight years.
He said the school was modeled after Shillong’s Pine Mount School, which provides quality education to underprivileged communities in the state capital. A similar initiative is underway in Jowai, with plans to establish such schools in every district of Meghalaya and additional locations as needed to meet the state’s demand for accessible, high-quality education.
Highlighting the project’s strategic importance, Sangma said, “The Tura Pine Mount International School was envisioned to complement the nearby Tura Medical College, ensuring that faculty members and their families relocating to the region have access to quality education for their children, given the proximity of both institutions.
Farmer’s market
He noted that a farmers’ market and a Social Mobilisation Centre, sanctioned during his tenure as chief minister, were established near these institutions to create a sustainable economic ecosystem for residents of Doldegre and surrounding villages.
Mukul was accompanied by MDCs Rinaldo K. Sangma, Alphonsus R. Marak, and Ferdinand D. Shira, TMC youth leaders Richard M. Marak and Saljagringrang Marak, senior citizens, and the A•king Nokma of Doldegre were also present.
