Shillong, July 28: FM praises Meghalaya’s development model in newspaper article Shillong, July 28: Adding to the state’s surface transport infrastructure, chief minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated two newly constructed bridges over Damring river at Chidaret in North Garo Hills district.
The two new bridges — one connecting Chidaret to Thapa Bazar and the other on Bajengdoba-Resubelpara road — are expected to significantly ease transportation for thousands of residents in the region.
“These bridges will alleviate the hardship of people living on both sides of the river, especially during the monsoon,” he said.
The chief minister significantly said, “Bridges and roads are not just about connectivity — they are lifelines that enable access to markets, healthcare, and education.”
He also mentioned that the current government has done in seven years what the previous government could not do in two decades.
“In the past seven years, we have increased our budget allocation for road infrastructure to nearly ₹5,000 crore. Our focus has always been on creating better roads and more robust connectivity across the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, the chief minister informed that union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who toured Meghalaya for three days recently, has lauded the state’s development model in an article “The Meghalaya Story: Realising Aspirations” published in the national news daily “The Hindustan Times”.
“During her recent three-day visit to Meghalaya, the hon’ble finance minister took time to interact with farmers, women, and youth from across the state,” he said.
“She saw first hand the interventions our government has implemented to support different segments of society — from farming to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. Her article speaks volumes about Meghalaya’s silent revolution and the transformation that is taking place,” Sangma said.
In her opinion piece, Sitharaman described Meghalaya as a state witnessing a quiet yet impactful transformation — a state that is embracing infrastructure growth while remaining deeply rooted in community-driven development.
She praised the state’s initiatives in strengthening road connectivity, empowering self-help groups (SHGs), improving tourism infrastructure, and enhancing agri-business potential through export-led initiatives like the Megha-LAMP programme.
The finance minister also highlighted the strides made by Meghalaya’s farming community, youth entrepreneurs, and women’s collectives. She recalled visiting SHGs producing organic turmeric, pickles, and handloom products, as well as farmers exporting pineapples to Dubai — showcasing the entrepreneurial energy at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, the chief minister reiterated that Meghalaya is on track to become a $10 billion economy through a combination of investments in infrastructure, human capital, tourism, and agri-enterprise.
“The finance minister’s recognition is a testimony to our collective progress, and we are more determined than ever to continue building a Meghalaya that is resilient, inclusive, and future-ready,” he remarked.
