Guv highlights vision of $10 bn economy during R-Day address

SHILLONG, Jan 27: Governor CH Vijayashankar on Sunday emphasized Meghalaya’s progress and outlined the state’s ambitious vision of becoming a $10 billion economy by 2028.
Addressing the 76th Republic Day celebration after unfurling the tricolour at Polo Grounds, the Governor highlighted that the vision of the government is to make Meghalaya a $10 billion economy by 2028, by doubling the state’s GSDP. He said that the state is poised to achieve this goal and strategies are being developed across sectors, and investments are being mobilised.
“The GSDP of our state increased from Rs 23,235 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 53,057 crore in 2024-25. Key areas like roads, housing, water supply, power, tourism, and IT are driving growth. Over the past five years, the state has built more than 2,500 km of roads under PMGSY. The government is in the process of expanding the Shillong Airport to accommodate larger flights and improve connectivity,” he said.
He highlighted significant milestones achieved by the state in infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism, and economic development.
The Governor said that during the last year the overall law and order situation in the state was peaceful.
He said that in line with the three new criminal laws, the state government has also upgraded the forensic sciences lab in Shillong to a full-fledged Directorate of Forensic Sciences and also approved the creation of mobile forensic science units in each district.
Pointing out that the Meghalaya government is dedicated to enhancing the state’s road infrastructure to ensure better connectivity and fostering economic growth, he said that over the past two years, the government has sanctioned road works covering 568 km to enhance connectivity in the state.
“Work on the Shillong- Dawki Highway and Tura-Dalu Road is progressing well, and a new alignment for the Pynursla Bypass is approved. Additionally, significant projects like Shillong Western Bypass and a high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung to Panchgram are also advancing,” he added.
“Based on the state’s good performance in the road sector, the Union government has recently approved a Mega Project for improving the road sector with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore. Under this project more than 300 km of double-lane climate resilient roads shall be developed and this will contribute to realising our ‘Mission 10’,” he said.
According to the Governor, the government is committed to making urban spaces more sustainable and dynamic, with New Shillong City leading the way. Foundation for the New Secretariat in Mawdiangdiang was laid on Meghalaya Day this year. New growth-oriented projects like Skills Hub, Unity Mall, New Shillong Water Supply Scheme and Sports Infrastructure have been initiated. The road connectivity between the administrative city, Mawdiangdiang and the Knowledge city at Mawkhanu has been built. Three new roads are being constructed to improve connectivity between Shillong and New Shillong. Planning for development of Mawkhanu Knowledge City is under way, and it is expected that the city will become a tourism, skilling, and educational hub.
He also said that the state is making significant strides in waste management, with more than 1 lakh metric tons of legacy waste cleared at Marten and 15,000 metric tons at Rongkon Songittal landfill in Tura.
The long-pending work at Iawmusiang market, Jowai has also been revived. The STEMS School Bus initiative is a success, and 30 new buses are being added this year. Redevelopment of junctions and urban spaces are being taken up at Shillong, Tura and Jowai.
He further added that the government is mobilising private investments to promote growth and provide employment to the youth. As per the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act, 2024 and the State Industrial Policy, 90% of the non-managerial jobs generated in new industries are reserved for local people. New Land banks are being created in full compliance with the provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 and the laws and rules of the three Autonomous District Councils.
On power sector, the Governor informed that the government is striving to ensure reliable power supply in the state as in 2024, there has been no scheduled load-shedding due to various measures undertaken by MeECL to improve the power sector in the last five years.
“We expect no load-shedding in 2025 as well,” he said while adding that the tourism sector will be a key driver of economic growth and livelihood opportunities for the people of the state.
Substantial investments in improving the tourism infrastructure are under way at key tourist locations like Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, redevelopment of two iconic projects for MICE infrastructure at Mawkhanu and Umiam Lake, and the Meghalaya Tourism Homestay Scheme which has emerged as a flagship success, transforming the state’s tourism landscape.
He also stated that the government is also committed to attracting private sector investment through the Public-Private Partnership model in the tourism sector. The foundation stone for the redevelopment of the Orchid Hotel, Shillong into a 5-star Aurika Hotel by the Lemon Tree Group has been laid. Another three 5-star hotels are in the pipeline, which will be opened in Umiam, Sohra and New Shillong. Further, the tourism sector has now been declared as an industry under the Meghalaya Investment and Industrial Development Policy, 2024, and is now eligible to leverage subsidies under the new central scheme UNNATI.
Informing that the state has made significant strides by reducing maternal deaths by over 53% and infant deaths by 40% in the last five years, he added that institutional deliveries have significantly improved due to intervention under the Chief Minister Safe Motherhood Scheme.
“Medical colleges are also being set up in Shillong and Tura with a plan for intake of 100 MBBS students per year in each of them. The Shillong Medical College will start operations from this year,” he said.
“This month the first state university, Captain Williamson Sangma State University was inaugurated. The University Grants Commission has recognized the establishment of the University as per section 2(f) of UGC Act, 1956. Affiliation with the state university will ensure that the students will not be required to appear for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for under-graduation and post-graduation courses. The formal affiliation applications have been received from 8 colleges. Further, the government has decided to also set up the Shillong campus of the State University,” he added
He also said that the government is committed to publicise and promote arts, culture, and heritage. The Tagore Cultural Centre at Rilbong, Shillong, funded by Ministry of Culture, is a key ongoing project of the state.
To conserve the natural heritage of the state and as part of the first community nomination under UNESCO system, the Meghalaya government has made the first ever attempt at large-scale community conservation of living root bridges. As many as 131 living root bridges across 74 villages have been mapped and 42 cooperative societies have been formed for conservation effort, he added.