Between 2014 and 2024, Central transfers to Meghalaya have increased substantially, with Rs 69,339 crore released as tax devolution and Rs 40,452 crore as grants-in-aid…
Shillong, Feb 3: Reinforcing its commitment to the development of Meghalaya, the Centre in the Union Budget 2026-27 enhanced fiscal support for the state through higher tax devolution and increased allocations under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
This will further enable the state government to accelerate capital expenditure and infrastructure creation in various sectors of Meghalaya.
The state has been allocated Rs 9,631 crore under tax devolution, providing greater untied resources to support the State’s developmental priorities.
Between 2014 and 2024, Central transfers to Meghalaya have increased substantially, with Rs 69,339 crore released as tax devolution and Rs 40,452 crore as grants-in-aid, reflecting a sustained expansion in fiscal support from the Centre.
The Union Budget has also strengthened capital investment through SASCI, under which 50-year interest-free loans are extended to States. Under this scheme, Meghalaya has received Rs 6,523 crore from 2020–21 to 2025–26 (till January 2026), with annual releases rising steadily, thereby enabling faster implementation of capital projects and asset creation, according to an official statement.
Budgetary support has translated into visible infrastructure development in Meghalaya.
In the roads sector, over 1,156 km of National Highways have been constructed in the State as on 30 June 2025. Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, development of 170 km of National Highway corridors has been approved with a tentative capital cost of Rs 2,703 crore.
Further, on 24 October 2024, the Ministry of Rural Development sanctioned 88 roads measuring 782 km and 55 bridges under PMGSY-III, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,056 crore. In the railways sector, Meghalaya was brought onto the railway map in 2014 with the commissioning of the Dudhnoi–Mendipathar railway line.
The State received electric train services for the first time in March 2023, and Meghalaya, along with Nagaland, is now 100 per cent electrified. The Mendipathar railway station is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Air connectivity has also improved with the operationalisation of Shillong Airport under the RCS-UDAN scheme, with eight new air routes made operational.
Shillong Airport has also been covered under the Krishi Udan Scheme to facilitate transportation of agricultural produce and support farmers.
In the education sector, the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs campus was laid at IIM Shillong in July 2025, and India’s first Gati Shakti Research Chair has been established at the institute.
Tourism and urban infrastructure have received focused budgetary support, with over Rs 29 crore sanctioned under the PRASAD scheme and over Rs 184 crore sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of tourism infrastructure.
Two projects have been approved under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 in Meghalaya, including the Meghalayan Age Cave Experience at Sohra at a cost of over Rs 32 crore and the Waterfall Trails Experience at Sohra at a cost of nearly Rs 28 crore.
The Polo Shopping Complex was inaugurated in Shillong in July 2025, further strengthening urban amenities. Shillong has also been selected under the Smart Cities Mission.
Industrial and special infrastructure development in Meghalaya has been supported through multiple Centrally sponsored and Central sector schemes.
The Union Cabinet approved the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme, UNNATI–2024, with an outlay of Rs 10,037 crore for a period of 10 years to promote industrial development and employment generation in the North-East.
Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme, 14 projects with an approved cost of over Rs 569 crore have been allotted to Meghalaya.
Since inception of the scheme, seven road and bridge projects worth Rs 459 crore and 116 other infrastructure projects worth over Rs 1,737 crore have been approved in the State.
PM-DevINE, announced in the Union Budget 2022–23 as a 100 per cent Centrally funded scheme, has supported projects in Meghalaya including a four-lane road and upgradation of existing roads at New Shillong Township, development of a skywalk and tourist hub at Mawkdok in Sohra, and construction of an IT Park at Tura in West Garo Hills district.
Additionally, on 9 March 2024, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects worth over Rs 290 crore in the State, including the foundation stone for the IT Park at Tura, the new four-lane road and upgradation of the existing two-lane road at New Shillong Township, and the inauguration of the Farmers Hostel-cum-Training Centre at Upper Shillong.
Union Budget support has also enabled wide coverage of flagship welfare schemes in Meghalaya.
The State has over 92.5 thousand Atal Pension Yojana subscribers, 5.83 thousand PM SVANidhi applications disbursed, 94 thousand Kisan Credit Cards issued, and 5.42 lakh rural households provided tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission.
Additionally, over 3.17 lakh LPG connections have been released under PM Ujjwala Yojana, more than 21.3 lakh Ayushman cards created, over 21 lakh beneficiaries covered under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, and over 1.79 lakh farmers supported under PM-KISAN.
