Shillong, July 2025: In a rare and impactful engagement, Shillong’s business leaders met with Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, on Thursday to highlight Meghalaya’s persistent infrastructure and connectivity challenges, urging the Centre to accelerate developmental interventions.
Held at Polo Towers Hotel, the meeting brought together stakeholders from across sectors—tourism, industry, media, and trade—who expressed concern over the state’s sluggish growth trajectory, particularly in physical connectivity and logistical efficiency, despite more than five decades of statehood.
Among the key issues raised was the abrupt suspension of regional flights under the UDAN scheme, which had previously connected Shillong to Northeastern capitals such as Kohima, Agartala, and Guwahati.
Prominent hotelier Parambir Singh Sehdave noted that while expansion plans at Shillong Airport are underway, the temporary flight disruptions have had a detrimental effect on tourism and intercity travel.
“A journey that once took 15 minutes by air now consumes hours on poorly maintained roads,” Sehdave said, underscoring the strain on mobility and tourism-dependent livelihoods.
He further criticized the deteriorating condition of a key 25-kilometre stretch of National Highway-6, a critical trade artery linking Meghalaya with neighbouring states. The stretch, he said, has become a bottleneck, often causing travel delays of over two hours.
Industrialist Abhishek Singhania emphasized the urgency of completing the railway line extension to Byrnihat, citing the potential to reduce transport costs for border industries and stimulate cross-border trade.
Adding historical context, former minister and Shillong Times proprietor Manas Chaudhuri reflected on Meghalaya’s peaceful inception in 1972, contrasting it with the state’s slow economic and infrastructural progression. He urged the Union Minister to convey to the Central government the need for “handholding” support and special financial packages, given the state’s landlocked position and sensitive strategic location.
Cabinet Minister A.L. Hek reinforced the need to strengthen grassroots economic engines, particularly self-help groups and cooperative societies, which he described as vital to Meghalaya’s rural economy.
The call for economic diversification also featured in the discussions, with participants pointing to dairy farming as an underexplored sector, well-suited to Meghalaya’s climate and natural resources.
In his response, Union MoS Krishan Pal Gurjar assured stakeholders that the issues raised would be communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and relevant ministries. He acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns and pledged that future policy decisions would reflect the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya.
The meeting signaled a renewed push for collaborative governance between the Centre and the state’s business community, instilling hope for enhanced connectivity, infrastructure development, and inclusive regional growth.
