Meghalaya Development
CM Sangma Outlines Rs 6,000-Crore New Shillong Township Investment in Assembly
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told the Assembly that the New Shillong Township is being built with a total investment of over 6,000 crore rupees and over 915 acres of land procured from 1995 to 2017. With Shillong city's population now exceeding five lakh, the government has adopted a two-pronged strategy to address the present challenges in Shillong while building future opportunities in New Shillong.
| Total Investment Sanctioned | Rs 6,000+ crore |
|---|---|
| Land Procured | 915 acres (1995–2017) |
| Current Expenditure Rate | 30% already utilised on infrastructure and key facilities |
| Projected Employment Generation | 1.5 lakh jobs across four sectors |
| Current Shillong Population | Five lakh (5 lakh people) |
| New Secretariat Complex Cost | Rs 1,188 crore |
| New Secretariat Completion Target | Mid-2027 |
| Water Supply Phase 1 Cost | Rs 591 crore |
| Designed Population Capacity | 56 million litres per day for 4+ lakh people |
What Was Said and When
Chief Minister Sangma replied to a short-duration discussion moved by Mawryngkneng MLA Heaving Stone Kharpran on developmental activities in New Shillong, outlining the scale of investment and land holdings. The response addressed what has become one of Meghalaya's most significant infrastructure undertakings, framing it as essential to managing the state capital's rapid urban pressure.
Why This Matters: Urban Pressure and Population Growth
The rapid growth of Shillong has created pressure on infrastructure, including congestion, parking, water supply and drainage systems, challenges that are being addressed through a phased and planned approach. Immediate urban issues in Shillong are being tackled alongside the long-term strategy of building New Shillong as a new city to support future expansion. The township is positioned as Meghalaya's answer to Shillong's saturation—a twin city capable of absorbing projected growth.
Four Pillars of Economic Growth
The CM said New Shillong is being built as Meghalaya's engine of growth powered by four pillars: tourism, sports & culture, education & skilling, and technology. Together, these sectors will attract new industries, create new opportunities, and generate over 1.5 lakh jobs, making New Shillong a true hub of employment for our youth.
Phase 1: Administrative City (Mawdiangdiang, Umsawli)
Phase 1 is housing key institutions like the Meghalaya Secretariat, IIM Shillong, NIFT, NEIAH, and NEIGRIHMS, creating a knowledge and healthcare hub. The Rs 1,231 crore Meghalaya Secretariat project is 35% complete, and the Legislative Assembly building is nearing completion. The Secretariat is scheduled for completion by mid-2027, with construction having begun following the foundation stone laying on January 21, 2025. The area is also evolving into a commercial centre with the Unity Mall (40% complete) and planned commercial streets.
Phase 2: Knowledge City (Mawkhanu, Mawpdang)
The Knowledge City at Mawkhanu will feature a major IT Park, Skills & Innovation Hub, a monolith tower, and a 40,000-seater football stadium. The IT Park has generated 1,500 jobs, with 64.9 acres earmarked for higher education and skilling institutions.
Critical Infrastructure: Water, Power, Connectivity
Water security has been planned through a dedicated surface water system designed to serve more than four lakh people, with Phase I of the project already sanctioned and under construction. Phase I (Rs 591 crore) is under construction, drawing water from Wah Umkhen river. A Comprehensive Mobility Plan has laid out a 30-year transport roadmap including a structured road grid and improved regional connectivity. Key road corridors are already completed or under progress and New Shillong will benefit from regional connectivity projects such as the proposed Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor and the upgrading of Shillong Airport.
Implementing Agency and Land Acquisition
The New Shillong Township Development Agency (NSTDA) was set up in 2013, and the implementation of the New Shillong Township and management of finances, acquisition, allotment of lands, and development of infrastructure have been transferred to NSTDA. The government has acquired 1,722.32 acres of land in the NST from various landowners over the years. Land was acquired from 11 landowners in 1995–1996, 5 landowners in 1997–1998, 7 landowners in 2003–2004, 7 landowners in 2006–2007, and 1 landowner in 2021–2022.
What Is Next
The Meghalaya Chief Minister on 15 July 2026 reviewed the progress of several flagship infrastructure projects under construction in New Shillong, directing executing agencies to expedite work while maintaining high standards of quality and adhering to project deadlines. The New Secretariat is scheduled for completion by mid-2027, a target the Chief Minister has emphasized as critical. The project timeline remains ambitious, with multiple institutional and commercial developments tracking toward staggered operational dates through the remainder of this decade.
Development phases
Land use
Frequently asked questions
Why is New Shillong being built?
Shillong's rapid growth has created pressure on infrastructure including congestion, parking, water supply and drainage. The government is tackling immediate urban issues in Shillong while building New Shillong as a new city to support future expansion.
How much land has been acquired and when?
Over 915 acres of land have been procured from 1995 to 2017. More recent acquisitions have continued; the government has acquired 1,722.32 acres total.
What is the total investment committed?
More than Rs 6,000 crore has been sanctioned for the development of New Shillong City, with nearly 30 per cent already utilised for on-ground infrastructure and key facilities.
How many jobs is New Shillong expected to create?
Together, four sectors (tourism, sports & culture, education & skilling, and technology) will attract new industries, create new opportunities and generate over 1.5 lakh jobs.
When will the new Secretariat be ready?
The Secretariat complex is scheduled for completion by mid-2027. Construction began following the foundation stone laying on January 21, 2025.
Who is in charge of implementing the project?
The New Shillong Township Development Agency (NSTDA), set up in 2013, has responsibility for implementation and management of finances, acquisition, allotment of lands, and development of infrastructure.
What infrastructure is being built first?
Phase I water supply (Rs 591 crore) is under construction, drawing water from Wah Umkhen river. Power upgrades and road corridors are also underway in tandem with Phase 1 administrative buildings.
Sources
- New Shillong Township will be Meghalaya's "engine of growth", says Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma
- New Shillong City to generate over 1.5 lakh jobs, says Meghalaya CM
- New Shillong Township to be state's growth engine: Conrad
- New Shillong (Wikipedia)
- CM reviews progress of projects in New Shillong township
- Meghalaya CM reviews New Secretariat, Unity Mall and Sports Complex projects in New Shillong
- New Shillong Township development: Conrad inspects key infrastructure projects
- New Shillong still in development stage despite crores spent
- Heaving Stone Kharpran (Wikipedia)