By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 16: Meghalaya has emerged as the second fastest-growing state in the country after Tamil Nadu, with the state expressing optimism of securing a place among India’s top 10 states by 2032.
In his Independence Day address, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said Meghalaya’s growth rate for 2024-25 at constant prices stands at 9.66%, nearly double the state’s growth rate of 5.1% in 2018 when the MDA Government came to power.
“Meghalaya is the only state in the country to achieve a consistent growth rate of about 10% for three consecutive years after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an achievement that all of us should be very proud of. How did Meghalaya transform from a state growing at 5% to one growing at 10%? In 2015–16, our growth rate was 2%; in 2016–17, 5%; in 2017–18, 4%; in 2018–19, 5%; and in 2019–20, 5%. In contrast, the growth rates in 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25 were 10%, 11%, and 10%, respectively,” he said.
Admitting that challenges remain, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya is at the midway point of its 15-year journey (2018–2032), which will culminate with the state celebrating 60 years of statehood.
“In 2018, our GDP was less than Rs 30,000 crore. In the last seven and a half years, we have doubled it to Rs 59,626 crore. By 2032, we will more than double it again to Rs 1,40,000 crore. This growth will generate more jobs for our youth, create opportunities for every citizen, and position Meghalaya among the top 10 states in the country. This is our Vision 2032, and the government is making every effort to achieve it,” he said.
Earlier, the chief minister highlighted that Meghalaya continues to remain peaceful, with an enabling atmosphere for development and business. A key milestone, he said, has been the progress made in resolving the long-standing border dispute with Assam, guided by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two states. “Following the Chief Minister-level meeting, the construction of the inter-state boundary pillar in the Hahim area has been completed, and steady progress is being made in other locations,” he added.
The government, he said, has identified 10 growth opportunities and reiterated its 10 clear commitments to the people, which will be delivered by 2032. These include improved connectivity and mobility, piped drinking water, reliable power supply, high-speed internet, housing for all, affordable healthcare, nutrition and early childhood development, joyful and quality education, efficient service delivery and grievance redressal, and a caring and empowering state. “We are working on the 10 opportunities, promising 10 commitments to citizens, and will become one of the top 10 states in the country by 2032. This is Mission 10,” Sangma said.
Hawkers’ relocation
Referring to the recent relocation of hawkers at Khyndailad, he noted that street vending had remained unregulated for years, leading to traffic congestion and difficulties for pedestrians.
“After multiple consultations with vendors, we successfully relocated 407 hawkers to the MUDA Shopping Complex last month. To ensure a smooth transition, the government provided dedicated vending kiosks and relocation support of Rs 20,000 to each vendor,” he said. He added that similar efforts in Iewduh and Khyndai Lad reflected the government’s broader commitment to inclusive governance and improved urban spaces.
Various devp sectors
Initiatives to strengthen urban infrastructure, he said, are being implemented in Shillong, Tura, Jowai, and other towns. Iconic projects such as the Meghalaya Secretariat Complex in New Shillong, the Additional Secretariat Complex in Tura, and the Integrated Administrative Complex in Jowai have been initiated. “New Shillong City, which was only an idea five years ago, is now becoming a reality with projects like IT Park Phase II, Unity Mall, Skills and Innovation Hub, Heliport, and a Working Women’s Hostel,” he added.
On agriculture, Sangma said the government is committed to more than doubling the income of 3.5 lakh farming households. In sports, he announced that the state is building India’s largest dedicated football stadium in New Shillong, with a seating capacity of 40,000. “Our goal is to make Meghalaya the football capital of India and create new opportunities for our youth. We are also targeting 50 medals in the 2027 National Games, which Meghalaya will proudly host,” he said.
In the health sector, the Chief Minister said consistent efforts by healthcare workers have led to a 51% reduction in maternal deaths and a 37% drop in infant mortality since 2020. Under the MHIS programme, insurance coverage has increased from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 5.3 lakh, with registration growing from 50% to 90% over the last decade. Nearly 2,500 professionals, including 457 doctors, have been recruited to strengthen service delivery across remote villages.
Education, he added, has also seen “remarkable progress” since 2018, with thousands of schools now equipped with electricity, drinking water, toilets, computers, and internet connectivity. More than 4,000 schools now have libraries, book banks, and reading corners. “We are beginning to see tangible results. Student enrolment is rising, academic performance is improving, and this year 96% of students under the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) passed their SSLC examinations, thanks to the targeted intervention called CM Impact,” he said.
Thanking the Prime Minister for sanctioning the high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung to Silchar and a 29 km Tura Bypass, Sangma said the Government of India and the World Bank have also approved a mega project to improve road connectivity. Over 500 km of key roads, including Umtyngar-Sohra in Khasi Hills, Dkhiah-Semmasi in Jaintia Hills, and Deku-Chokpot in Garo Hills, are being upgraded.
“Our dream of landing larger flights like Airbus at Umroi Airport is becoming a reality. The Government has procured additional land to expand the runway from 1,829 meters to 2,400 meters, with construction expected to begin soon,” he said.
He added that the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme will provide safe drinking water to over two lakh people, while the state’s power network has been significantly strengthened with 24 new substations and 2,200 km of distribution lines. Plans are also underway to generate an additional 300 MW of hydropower in the coming years.
“Our goal is to attract Rs 8,000 crore in private investments, which will play a crucial role in driving employment in the years ahead,” he stated.