Shillong, Feb 16: CH Vijayashankar on Monday said Meghalaya has emerged as the second fastest growing state in India after Tamil Nadu, recording a real GDP growth of 9.66% in 2024–25.
Addressing the Assembly during the Budget Session, the Governor said the state is the only one to sustain an average 10% growth for two consecutive years after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our economy nearly doubled in just seven years, from ₹29,508 crore to ₹59,626 crore in 2025, a testament to the resilience and potential of our people,” he said.
Excellence Framework and Growth Strategy
The Governor informed the House that the government has adopted the Meghalaya Excellence Framework as its long-term roadmap.
“To achieve the long-term vision, the State has developed the Meghalaya Excellence Framework, the strategic roadmap to be among India’s top 10 States in per capita income and Sustainable Development Goals by 2032,” he said.
He said the growth momentum is anchored in core sectors such as agriculture, roads, power, water supply, investment promotion, IT & communications, and tourism, along with targeted social investments in healthcare, education, livelihood generation, social security, and citizen-centric governance.
Externally Aided Projects and Central Support
The Governor said Meghalaya is currently implementing 15 externally aided projects across roads, power, agriculture, water conservation, and tourism, supported by multilateral development agencies. Two additional projects are under loan negotiation, taking the cumulative value to ₹12,166 crore.
He added that part of each loan is covered by a Government of India grant, with the balance funded by the state. The government has also approved ₹6 crore under the Chief Minister’s Catalytic Fund to accelerate Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) performance across twelve districts.
Support from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is also boosting infrastructure development. Under the PM-DevINE initiative, seven projects worth over ₹773 crore are underway, including the ₹234 crore Integrated Sohra Circuit Development Project aimed at strengthening tourism potential.
Other key initiatives include the Shillong Peak Ropeway and Unity Mall in New Shillong Township to enhance visitor experience and urban growth.
The Governor also cited the Economic Survey 2025–26 by the Government of India, which commended Meghalaya’s community-driven development model for climate resilience and environmental safeguarding. He said the state has mapped over 55,000 springs and implemented more than 500 community-led water interventions across 8,430 hectares.
Investment Push and Governance Reforms
Highlighting private sector participation, the Governor said state initiatives have catalysed over ₹1,800 crore in private investment, with a target of mobilising more than ₹8,000 crore by 2032 and generating over 50,000 jobs.
Recent projects include a ₹330 crore Varun Beverages bottling facility in North Garo Hills and the ₹300 crore Taj Umiam Resort and Spa, described as the largest hospitality project in the North-East.
The Governor said governance reforms are being strengthened through digital platforms such as the Meghalaya One Portal, CM Connect, Village Data Volunteers, DC Connect, and real-time departmental dashboards to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Meghalaya has also secured third rank in Compliance Reduction and Deregulation 1.0 and enacted the Meghalaya Decriminalization (Amendment of Provisions & Repealing) Act, 2025, alongside the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2024.
Industrial Expansion and Trade Promotion
Three factory complexes are being developed at Byrnihat, Matchakolgre, and Shillong to provide plug-and-play facilities for micro and small enterprises.
A Mega Food Park covering over 55 acres is being established at Mendipathar, along with two primary processing centres in South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills to strengthen agri value chains.
The Governor said the state also hosted the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet 2026 to boost MSMEs and expand global trade presence. He added that the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, North-East Regional Campus, was laid in Shillong in 2025.
Roads, Connectivity and Transport
The Governor said Meghalaya’s road network now spans over 13,000 km, including 1,181 km of National Highways. Since 2018, over 2,960 km of roads have been developed at a cumulative expenditure exceeding ₹5,000 crore.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 1,180 road schemes have been completed in the past five years at a cost of over ₹3,200 crore, connecting around 300 habitations. Under PMGSY-IV, 258 additional villages will be connected.
He also highlighted the proposed ₹22,000 crore Shillong–Silchar Greenfield High-Speed Corridor as a major boost to regional connectivity.
On aviation, land has been acquired for the expansion of Shillong Airport, and steps are underway to operationalise Baljek Airport in Tura, along with heliports in New Shillong Township and Tura.
Power and Sustainability
On the power sector, the Governor said there has been no scheduled load shedding in the last two years. Aggregated Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses have been reduced from 32% to 10.5%.
Solar energy adoption is also being expanded to support community health infrastructure and small and medium food processing units, reinforcing the state’s push toward sustainable growth.
