CM lays base for Rs 1,188-cr Meghalaya Secretariat at Umsawli
SHILLONG, Jan 21: The state government is betting big on New Shillong Township, hoping to transform the area into a key administrative and economic hub with a massive investment of Rs 15,500 crore.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the new Meghalaya Secretariat building at Umsawli, New Shillong. The project, estimated to cost Rs 1,188 crore, is part of a larger Rs 5,500 crore investment plan in the New Shillong Township, with an additional Rs 10,000 crore investment being explored in the near future.
The Secretariat, which will be constructed in two phases, will cover an area of 53 acres. Phase 1 will house 68 offices, a 700-person capacity auditorium, and facilities for over 1,800 staff. Phase 2 will accommodate 56 directorates, over 4,700 staff, and two 200-person auditoriums over a floor area of 1.25 lakh square meters.
Speaking at the event, Sangma said, “This is not just about constructing a building; it is about expanding the city of Shillong and creating a major growth centre for the state.”
He added that the Secretariat symbolises the aspirations of the government and the people and will act as a catalyst for New Shillong’s transformation.
Highlighting the government’s long-term plans for New Shillong, Sangma shared that the area has been earmarked as an Administrative and Knowledge City, with significant investments planned to improve connectivity and infrastructure.
Roads connecting the existing city to the administrative and knowledge hubs will be developed to facilitate growth, he said.
On the same occasion, Rs 63 crore was released for 6,000 beneficiaries under social schemes, including CM Elevate, Focus, Green Meghalaya+, and tourism infrastructure projects.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong credited Sangma for envisioning and initiating the project, stating, “We never thought a new Secretariat would be possible, but the Chief Minister turned this dream into reality.”
His counterpart, Sniawbhalang Dhar, described the Secretariat as a step towards empowering Meghalaya’s future and ensuring efficient governance.
The Chief Minister also addressed the detailed planning behind the Secretariat’s design, noting, “The actual design of the building took us more than a year to finalise. It is a representation of our collective aspirations and the future we aim to build.”
Sangma further said that nearly Rs 15,500 crore will be invested towards ongoing and proposed projects. The development of the New Shillong area, he said, will not only improve administrative efficiency but also create opportunities for local communities and landowners across 30 square kilometres.
The foundation laying programme coincided with Meghalaya’s 53rd Statehood Day celebrations.