Infrastructure
RTI Reveals Rs 331 Crore Spent on New Shillong Township Land, Yet Project Remains in Development Stage After 29 Years
The vision for New Shillong Township was conceived in the 1990s when land was first acquired for the project. However, even after 29 years and the expenditure of crores of rupees on land acquisition, the township remains in the development stage. An RTI report revealed that the state government has spent over Rs 331 crore on land acquisition in the area to date, while collecting Rs 83.07 crore in premiums from land deals.
| Land acquisition cost | Over Rs 331 crore spent to date |
|---|---|
| Premiums collected | Rs 83.07 crore from 38 departments |
| Land acquired | 1,722.32 acres from various landowners |
| Funds received for development | Rs 297.97 crore from Urban Affairs Department |
| Accrued interest | Rs 22.25 crore in a private bank savings account |
| Years since conception | Approximately 29 years (from mid-1990s) |
| Land acquisition timeline | 11 landowners (1995-96), 5 (1997-98), 7 (2003-04), 7 (2006-07), 1 (2021-22) |
| Authority transfer | Control transferred to New Shillong Township Development Agency in 2020 |
| Departments allocated land | CBI, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh governments, RBI, MPSC, GPO, and others |
What the RTI Report Found
An RTI report revealed that the state government has collected a total of Rs 83.07 crore in premiums from land deals in the New Shillong Township, while it has spent over Rs 331 crore on land acquisition in the area to date. The New Shillong Township Development Agency has received Rs 297.97 crore from the Urban Affairs department for the township's development.
The government collected a premium of Rs 83.07 crore from 38 departments to which land was allotted in NST. Among the departments that have received land are the CBI, the governments of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, the Tourism department for an Urban Park, and others including the RBI, MPSC and GPO.
Land Acquisition Over Three Decades
The RTI further revealed that the government has so far 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.
Administrative Transfers and Financial Status
In 2020, the government passed an order transferring control of the NST to the New Shillong Township Development Agency. The New Shillong Township Development Agency operates a savings account in a private bank, where an interest amount of Rs 22.25 crore has accrued. The RTI also confirmed that no loans have been taken from HUDCO for financing the projects in the area.
Project Vision and Current Development
The New Shillong Township is a project initiated during the preparation of the Second Shillong Master Plan, 1991-2011. The township was proposed to be set up near Mawdiangdiang, spread across an area of 20.3 square kilometers, to ease urban congestion in Shillong. It is envisioned as a modern administrative and knowledge city designed to decongest Shillong and support sustainable urban growth with strategic infrastructure, public services, and institutional zones. The project includes areas such as Umsawli, Mawpdang, and Mawkhanu.
Recent Infrastructure Progress
In January 2025, the foundation stone for a new Secretariat complex in Umsawli within New Shillong Township was laid by the chief minister on the occasion of Meghalaya's 53rd Statehood Day. The project, estimated at ₹1,188 crore, will be built on a 53-acre plot and executed in phases to house government offices, staff facilities and auditoriums, marking a key milestone in the planned development of New Shillong.
Roads worth Rs 343 crores are in progress in the new township, including Ummir to Mawkhanu and Kynoton to Lyngkien, Bellefonte to new township, Diengpasoh road to Shillong bypass, and Bribah Mawpat to new township.
Frequently asked questions
How much has the government spent on land acquisition for New Shillong Township?
The state government has spent over Rs 331 crore on land acquisition in the New Shillong Township to date.
How much land has been acquired for the township?
The government has so far acquired 1,722.32 acres of land in the NST from various landowners over the years.
Which government departments and agencies have received land allocations?
The government collected premiums from 38 departments to which land was allotted in NST. Among them are the CBI, the governments of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, the Tourism department for an Urban Park, the RBI, MPSC and GPO.
When did control of the project transfer to the New Shillong Township Development Agency?
In 2020, the government passed an order transferring control of the NST to the New Shillong Township Development Agency.
What is the planned function of New Shillong Township?
It is envisioned as a modern administrative and knowledge city designed to decongest Shillong and support sustainable urban growth with strategic infrastructure, public services, and institutional zones. The project includes areas such as Umsawli, Mawpdang, and Mawkhanu.
What is the timeline for the new Secretariat complex?
The Secretariat, a flagship project, is being developed at a cost of Rs 1,188 crore and is scheduled for completion by mid-2027. Construction began following the foundation stone laying on January 21, 2025.
Sources
- New Shillong still in devp stage despite crores spent | The Shillong Times
- New Shillong is a planned twin city | Wikipedia
- Rapid development planned for new Shillong township | Hub Network
- CM reviews progress of projects in New Shillong township | Meghalaya Monitor
- Infrastructure development in New Shillong Township | Northeast Live TV