SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Government on Tuesday outlined the scale, vision, and progress of the New Shillong Township project, describing it as the state’s future growth engine and a major generator of employment.
Replying to a Short Duration Discussion raised by Mawryngkneng MLA Heavingstone Kharpran during the ongoing Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on the ongoing development works, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma assured that the project is being implemented in a phased, scientific, and environmentally responsible manner.
The CM acknowledged that Shillong is facing increasing pressure due to congestion, parking shortages, and stressed water and drainage systems. To address these issues, several measures are being implemented, including — organised street vending zones, introduction of 120 new buses, including electric and AC buses, river rejuvenation and drain cleaning works and development of 11 multi-level parking facilities.
With the city’s population crossing five lakh, the government stressed the need for a dual strategy — solving present urban challenges while building future opportunities through New Shillong.
The Chief Minister informed that over ₹6,000 crore has been sanctioned for New Shillong City, with nearly 30% already utilised for infrastructure and facilities.
Development is being carried out in three major phases — Phase I – Administrative City (Mawdiangdiang): Nearing completion, with departments set to shift soon; Phase II – Knowledge City (Mawkhanu–Mawpdang): Planned as an education, innovation, and skill hub and Phase III – Transit-Oriented Corridor: To connect key zones with efficient public transport.
The project is expected to generate over 1.5 lakh jobs, driven by tourism, education, technology, sports, and culture.
Addressing environmental concerns, the government highlighted the Shillong Master Plan prepared using GIS-based risk assessment.
Key measures include — identification of flood- and landslide-prone zones, restrictions on unsafe construction, community consultations with Dorbar Shnongs and ban on construction on slopes steeper than 50 degrees. The plan aims to balance development with ecological protection, he said.
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Speaking on connectivity, Sangma said connectivity has been prioritised under a Comprehensive Mobility Plan completed in 2025. Major road corridors linking New Shillong with Shillong city have been planned, while the 10.95 km Ummir–Mawkhanu road has already been completed at a cost of ₹201 crore.
The township will also benefit from the proposed Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar high-speed corridor and the upgradation of Shillong Airport.
He further said that to meet future demand, a ₹591 crore water supply project is under construction to provide 56 MLD of water for over four lakh people.
The project draws water from the Wah Umkhen river and focuses on sustainable surface water management.
On power supply, new substations and transmission upgrades have reduced outages and strengthened the electricity network for long-term growth.
Emerging Administrative and Commercial Hub
The CM informed that the Phase I of New Shillong has already developed into a major public services and education hub, hosting institutions such as — Meghalaya Secretariat, IIM Shillong, NIFT, NEIAH and NEIGRIHMS.
The new Secretariat complex, costing ₹1,231 crore, has achieved 35% physical progress. The Legislative Assembly building is also nearing completion.
Meanwhile, the Unity Mall is 40% complete, and commercial streets, IT parks, housing projects, and affordable housing units are under development.
Phase II will feature major investments in IT, skills, sports, and culture, including — A large IT Park, Skills and Innovation Hub, 40,000-seater football stadium, NEUFC training centre and Monolith Tower.
More than 85 acres have been reserved for parks and open spaces, with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure planned to promote sustainable living.
Under the Town and Country Planning Scheme, Sangma said that the local communities and traditional institutions will participate through Local Area Committees to ensure collaborative development.
The government reaffirmed that the project is environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically transformative.
The Chief Minister stated that New Shillong City is more than an urban expansion project and will serve as Meghalaya’s biggest employment and investment hub in the coming decades.
