SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on March 23, said that the government has explored different options for setting up a Shillong Medical College after cancelling the previous MoU signed by the previous Congress-led government due to the delay in implementation of the project.
“Now that the new government, new ministers are there, we will pursue this aspect once again. We have already identified about 50 acres of land in the New Shillong Township area, where we will ultimately have this medical college,” Sangma said, adding that talks are on, and the project will hopefully start this year.
Replying to a query on the implementing agency, the chief minister revealed that running a medical college is very challenging, and having a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode is the most ideal and proper way to go ahead with such projects.
Sangma said that the government will discuss with more private parties on establishing more medical colleges and not just the Shillong Medical College.
“The state must have not just two, we are hoping that 4-5 medical colleges can be set up in the state under the PPP mode,” Sangma added.