Shillong, October 27: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of proposals covering sports infrastructure, transport projects, land acquisition, airport expansion and industrial investment, including a 45-year lease of 19.99 acres at Mawkhanu in New Shillong to NorthEast United FC for establishing a football academy.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the football club had proposed an investment of approximately ₹40–50 crore to develop training grounds, accommodation and other facilities.
He said discussions with the club, associated with actor and Meghalaya Tourism ambassador John Abraham, had also covered the possibility of shifting its management operations from Guwahati to Shillong.
Shylla said the state’s investment in grassroots football needed to be complemented by quality academies that could prepare young players to compete at higher levels. Meghalaya already has around 125 grassroots football centres, he added.
He also said local clubs could submit proposals seeking government support, which would be considered on their merits.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved a cost revision for the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project to enable the state to utilise approximately ₹160 crore arising from exchange-rate gains.
The Cabinet also cleared revised costs for nine road projects under the World Bank-assisted transport programme. Shylla said the proposals were placed before the Cabinet because the cost increases exceeded 25 per cent, attributing the rise to construction cost escalation, additional work and changes in GST.
The Cabinet further approved the two-year re-employment of a senior Public Works Department (PWD) Roads and Buildings official serving as Executive Director (Technical) of the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation. The extension is intended to ensure continuity in pending projects.
On infrastructure development, the Cabinet approved the purchase of additional plots for the expansion of New Shillong. Shylla said some plots were located between areas already acquired, and purchasing them would improve access and facilitate planned development.
The Cabinet also approved leasing land in Ri-Bhoi district to the Airports Authority of India for relocating the DVOR navigation facility in connection with the expansion of Shillong Airport.
In another decision, amendments to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules were approved to address incidental mineral extraction during small construction and household activities.
Shylla said the provisions would cover minor minerals encountered unintentionally during activities such as digging wells and constructing houses within an area of up to half an acre.
The Cabinet also approved guidelines for the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Scheme, 2026, to facilitate the implementation of the state’s Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy, 2024.
Shylla said the guidelines would enable eligible beneficiaries to access subsidies, incentives and other assistance under the policy, while facilitating the processing and disbursement of benefits.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the recommended name for appointment as President of the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
