Shillong, January 21: On Meghalaya’s 53rd Statehood Day, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma laid the foundation stone for a new Secretariat building at Umsawli, New Shillong. He was joined by Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, along with Cabinet Ministers Abu Taher Mondal, Ampareen Lyngdoh, Marcuise Marak, and Comingone Ymbon.
The secretariat, estimated to cost ₹1188 crore, will be built on a 53-acre plot. The Secretariat and Directorate campus will be constructed in two phases. Phase 1 will include 68 offices, a 700-person capacity auditorium, and facilities for 1,829 staff members. Phase 2, with a 1.25 lakh sq. m floor area, will house 56 directorate offices, facilities for 4,746 staff members, and two 200-person capacity auditoriums.
CM Sangma emphasized that the project represents more than just a building; it symbolizes the expansion of Shillong and the government’s commitment to infrastructure development. He clarified that the design, which took over a year to finalize, is a realistic plan for the actual building.
He described the developing administrative and knowledge city in New Shillong as a “growth center,” stating that investments in the secretariat, connecting roads, and the knowledge city are laying the foundation for the community, landowners, and the overall development of a 30 sq. km area into a major growth hub for the state. He also announced that ₹5,500 crore has already been planned for investment in New Shillong, with an additional ₹10,000 crore in the pipeline.
CM Sangma addressed potential criticism of the new secretariat, stating that the government is focusing equally on social sectors through flagship schemes for youth, farmers, and women, which are improving living standards and boosting the state’s economy.
Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar said the infrastructure is being built to empower the state’s future, while Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong credited CM Sangma’s vision for the project, emphasizing his commitment to efficient administration and governance from New Shillong.
On the same occasion, the Chief Minister released ₹63 crore for 6,000 beneficiaries under social sector schemes, including CM Elevate, Focus, Green Meghalaya +, and tourism infrastructure projects.
