Resubelpara, July 28 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today announced that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highly praised Meghalaya’s development initiatives in a widely appreciated article, “The Meghalaya Story: Realising Aspirations,” published in The Hindustan Times. The Chief Minister made this disclosure while inaugurating two newly constructed bridges over the Damring River at Chidaret in North Garo Hills.
Chief Minister Sangma highlighted that during her recent three-day visit, the Union Finance Minister personally interacted with farmers, women, and youth across the state, observing firsthand the government’s interventions supporting various segments of society. “Her article speaks volumes about Meghalaya’s silent revolution and the transformation that is taking place,” Sangma stated.
In her opinion piece, Sitharaman described Meghalaya as a state undergoing a quiet yet impactful transformation, balancing infrastructure growth with deeply rooted community-driven development. She commended the state’s efforts in strengthening road connectivity, empowering self-help groups (SHGs), improving tourism infrastructure, and enhancing agri-business potential through export-led programs like Megha-LAMP. The Finance Minister also specifically mentioned visiting SHGs producing organic turmeric, pickles, and handloom products, as well as farmers successfully exporting pineapples to Dubai, showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial energy at the grassroots.
Speaking at the bridge inauguration, Chief Minister Sangma reiterated, “Meghalaya’s development model is based on sustained efforts to boost infrastructure, empower our people through community participation, and create opportunities for women, youth, and farmers. We are working in unison with all sections of society to realise our ambitious goal of building a 10-billion-dollar economy.”
The two new bridges, one connecting Chidaret to Thapa Bazar and the other on the Bajengdoba–Resubelpara road, are expected to significantly ease transportation for thousands of local residents. Sangma emphasized that “Bridges and roads are not just about connectivity — they are lifelines that enable access to markets, healthcare, and education. These bridges will alleviate the hardship of people living on both sides of the river, especially during the monsoon.”
He further informed that his government, in the last seven years, has increased its budget allocation for road infrastructure to nearly ₹5,000 crore, a significant leap compared to the previous two decades. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that Meghalaya is on track to achieve its $10 billion economy target through strategic 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,” Sangma concluded.
