Shillong, June 22: The Government of Meghalaya has decided to construct a new Meghalaya House in Vellore after engineers from the Public Works Department (Building) concluded that the existing structure has become too old and unsafe for renovation or repair.
The decision was taken following an inspection of the facility by Meghalaya’s Minister in charge of the General Administration Department (GAD), Sosthenes Sohtun, who visited Meghalaya House in Vellore and chaired a review meeting with the Commissioner and Secretary, government officials and staff members of the establishment.
During his visit, the Minister also interacted with patients from Meghalaya and their family members who had travelled to Vellore for treatment at Christian Medical College Vellore and were staying at Meghalaya House. He conveyed his best wishes to the patients and wished them a speedy recovery.
Official records show that Meghalaya House Vellore accommodated and assisted as many as 212 patients from Meghalaya during 2025, underlining the importance of the facility in providing support to residents seeking specialised medical treatment in Vellore.
Speaking after the inspection, Sohtun said that in view of the unsafe condition of the existing building, the Government has decided to rent a nearby guest house on a temporary basis beginning July 2026 to ensure that patients from Meghalaya continue to receive accommodation and other essential services.
He assured that the temporary guest house would provide the same facilities currently offered by Meghalaya House, including free transportation services for patients travelling to hospitals and treatment centres.
The Minister further informed that the General Administration Department is awaiting approval and sanction of funds from the Government to initiate construction of the new Meghalaya House in Vellore. Until the new building is completed, all services of Meghalaya House will continue to operate from the rented premises.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to the welfare of patients, Sohtun said the primary objective is to ensure that people from Meghalaya travelling to Vellore for medical treatment receive safe, comfortable and uninterrupted services throughout the transition period and during the construction of the new Meghalaya House.
The proposed reconstruction is expected to provide a modern and safer facility for patients and their attendants, strengthening the state’s support system for those seeking healthcare outside Meghalaya.
