‘Resilience of people’ credited for state’s economy being doubled in 7 years
Shillong, Feb 16: Governor CH Vijayashankar has formally opened state assembly’s budget session, terming the state’s recent performance as exceptional on several fronts.
“Meghalaya today stands as the second fastest growing State in India after Tamil Nadu, recording an impressive 9.66% real GDP growth in 2024-25,” the governor said while emphasizing that the GDP growth in 2024-25 is a testament to the state government’s Vision 2032 being on track.
“We are the only State to sustain an average 10% growth for two consecutive years after the Covid pandemic. Our economy nearly doubled in just seven years, from ₹29,508 crore to ₹59,626 crore in 2025, a testament to the resilience and potential of our people,” he said in his address on the first day of the budget session.
Referring to the state’s ambitious journey towards Vision 2032, with the goal of tripling Meghalaya’s economy from 2022, he said, “This moment allows us to renew our collective commitment to the progress and prosperity of our magnificent State.”
He mentioned about the government’s Meghalaya Excellence Framework, saying, “To achieve the long-term vision, the State has developed the Meghalaya Excellence Framework, the strategic roadmap to be among India’s top 10 States in per capita income and Sustainable Development Goals by 2032.”
The governor also stated that the state is pressing ahead with more than a dozen externally aided projects worth over ₹12,000 crore, while pointing to national recognition of the state’s community-based climate work.
Outlining the government’s programme, the Governor said, “To achieve the target of making our State magnificent, the Government is presently implementing several externally aided projects across key sectors, including roads, power, agriculture, water conservation, and tourism, supported by multilateral development agencies.”
He added that Meghalaya is running 15 such projects, with two more under loan negotiation, for a cumulative value of ₹12,166 crore.
”Part of each loan is covered by a Government of India grant, with the balance funded by the State. The government has also approved “₹6 crore in CM catalytic fund to accelerate SDG performance across twelve districts.”
Recognising the Centre’s support towards the state’s efforts for development, he said, “The Government is also leveraging support for core infrastructure projects from the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region through various schemes to accelerate tourism, water supply and connectivity projects across the State.”
Under PM-DevINE, seven projects worth over ₹773 crore” are underway, including the ₹234 crore Integrated Sohra Circuit Development project,” which he said, “will further help place Sohra on the global tourism map.”
Other initiatives include the Shillong Peak Ropeway and Unity Mall in New Shillong, aimed at strengthening visitor experience and urban growth.
The Governor cited external validation as well and said, “The recently released Economic Survey 2025-26 by the Government of India has commended Meghalaya’s community-driven development model for climate resilience and environmental safeguarding.”
He noted the model’s hallmarks—MegARISE, spring mapping, and climate-adaptive, community-based water harvesting—saying the state has “mapped over 55,000 springs and implemented more than 500 community-led water interventions across 8,430 hectares, significantly enhancing long-term ecological stability.”
Further, the Governor said that Meghalaya’s pull on private capital is accelerating, with digital governance reforms and deregulation intended to broaden the benefits.
“The Government remains firmly committed to attracting private investment through the Public Private Partnership model to drive economic growth and create employment for all the citizens,” the Governor said in his budget-session address.
He noted that state initiatives have “catalysed over ₹1,800 crore in private investment,” and set a goal of “mobilising more than ₹8,000 crore by 2032 and generating over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.”
Recent groundbreakings illustrate the push: a “₹330 crore Varun Beverages world-class bottling facility in North Garo Hills, which is providing over 500 jobs,” and a “₹300 crore Taj Umiam Resort and Spa, which will be the largest hospitality project in the North-Eastern region,” whose foundation was laid recently.
The Governor linked investment to governance changes, saying the state is “integrating its processes through digital platforms such as the Meghalaya One Portal, CM Connect, Village Data Volunteers, DC Connect, and real-time departmental dashboards.”
Together, he argued, such tools are “driving more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly governance, reinforcing Meghalaya’s commitment to inclusive growth.”
He also highlighted regulatory relief and said Meghalaya has “secured third rank in Compliance Reduction and Deregulation 1.0,” completing 23 priority areas and enacting the Meghalaya Decriminalization (Amendment of Provisions & Repealing) Act, 2025. Those gains, the Governor said, build on the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2024, the Investment Promotion Authority, and single-window clearances for investors.
Meghalaya is widening its industrial base with new factory clusters, a Mega Food Park, and stepped-up trade promotion, backed by academic infrastructure.
He announced that “three factory complexes are being developed at Byrnihat, Matchakolgre, and Shillong to provide plug-and-play facilities for micro and small enterprises.”
To strengthen farm-linked industry, a “Mega Food Park covering more than 55 acres is being established at Mendipathar, along with two primary processing centres in South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills,” he said.
The governor also pointed to recent outreach, saying, “The Government hosted the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet 2026, an initiative that boosts the State’s global trade presence, strengthens MSMEs, and showcases indigenous products to international markets.”
He added that institution-building is keeping pace: “The foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, North-East Regional Campus was laid in Shillong in 2025, marking a major step toward building a robust ecosystem for governance, corporate affairs, and entrepreneurship in the region.”
The Governor also said that the government remains firmly committed to strengthening road and bridge infrastructure, recognising its critical role in improving connectivity and economic growth in the State.
“Meghalaya’s network now spans ‘over 13,000 km, including 1,181 km of National Highways’. Since 2018, over 2,960 km of road length has been developed at a cumulative expenditure of over ₹5,000 crore.”
He noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, “in the last 5 years, 1,180 road schemes have been completed at a total expenditure of over ₹3,200 crore,” connecting “around 300 habitations.” Under PMGSY-IV, “258 villages will be connected, each with a population of over 250.”
Another additional ₹260 crore from the Central Road Fund is also being invested to strengthen rural roads.
The Governor added that the “₹22,000 crore Shillong-Silchar Greenfield High Speed Corridor will be a great boost to regional connectivity and improving logistical efficiencies.”
On transport, he said, “The State is undertaking a comprehensive upgradation of the State’s transport and connectivity infrastructure, with a focus on safety, efficiency and sustainability.” Air upgrades include acquiring 22 acres of land for the expansion of Shillong airport and work “to operationalise Baljek airport in Tura, alongside heliports in New Shillong Township and Tura.
Safety and environmental rules are tightening too. Vehicle safety and environmental standards have been enhanced through the commissioning of Automated Testing Stations, integration of emission testing with the VAHAN portal, implementation of Vehicle Location Tracking Systems, and notification of the Meghalaya Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2025.”
The state also introduced “Meghalaya Rent A Motorcycle Operational Rules, 2025” to streamline rentals.
On power, the Governor said, “The Government is committed to providing reliable power supply across the State. In the last two years, there has been no scheduled load shedding.”
Reforms, he noted, are paying off. Aggregated Technical and Commercial Losses have been reduced from 32% to 10.5%.” Solar adoption is expanding “for community health infrastructure and for small and medium food processing units.”
