Shillong, June 19: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹1,200 crore in Meghalaya and lauded the state government’s effective use of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
Addressing a gathering in Shillong, Sitharaman said Meghalaya has successfully leveraged development partnerships to promote community-led development, infrastructure creation and economic opportunities. She noted that EAPs not only provide financial support but also bring global expertise, innovative technologies and international best practices that help accelerate development.
The Union Finance Minister commended the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, stating that Meghalaya’s achievements demonstrate how effective governance and strong partnerships with development agencies can translate investments into meaningful outcomes for communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said Meghalaya is currently implementing over ₹12,000 crore worth of Externally Aided Projects, making them one of the state’s most important sources of capital for infrastructure and socio-economic development. He emphasized that development must reach the grassroots and improve the lives of people across the state.
The Chief Minister highlighted that EAP funding in Meghalaya has increased nearly ten-fold over the past seven years, from around ₹1,300 crore to over ₹12,500 crore, making the state one of the leading performers in the Northeast in securing externally aided financing. He also reiterated Meghalaya’s vision of becoming a “Viksit Meghalaya” by 2032.
The projects whose foundation stones were laid include five sub-projects under the Meghalaya Ecotourism Infrastructure Development Project worth ₹91.60 crore, six sub-projects under the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project (MLCIP) worth ₹957.46 crore, nine sub-projects under Supporting Human Capital Development Phase II worth ₹59.29 crore, and ten sub-projects under the Integrated Ecotourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development Project worth ₹138.39 crore.
The state government also highlighted the impact of several ongoing EAP-backed initiatives, including the Community-Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), which has restored over 32,000 hectares of degraded landscapes, the ₹1,331 crore Megha-LAMP project, which has mobilised more than 1.15 lakh shareholders through 503 village cooperatives, and the ₹838 crore MegLIFE project, which has restored over 17,700 hectares of forest cover through community participation.
Beneficiaries of these projects shared their experiences during the programme, highlighting improvements in water conservation, livelihood opportunities, cultural preservation and community development.
The government said the investments are contributing to major improvements in road connectivity, power distribution, agriculture, tourism and human capital development, while laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Meghalaya.
