Shillong, July 10 : Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, arrived in Shillong today for a four-day visit to Meghalaya from July 10 to July 13, 2025, marking the beginning of the launch and foundation stone laying ceremonies for several significant government projects totaling over ₹1,500 crore. The initiatives aim to bolster Meghalaya’s economic growth, sustainable tourism, digital inclusion, and women’s empowerment.
Upon her arrival, the Finance Minister, accompanied by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Donald Phillips Wahlang inaugurated the Polo Shopping Complex, a ₹100 crore urban infrastructure project under the Smart City Mission. Chief Minister Sangma extended a warm welcome to Sitharaman, acknowledging her long-standing support and consideration for Meghalaya and the entire Northeast region
He further elaborated on the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, explaining that, with the Finance Minister’s support, Meghalaya had secured significant funds for infrastructure development. Regarding the inauguration of a new shopping complex, Sangma described it a more than just a building. He stated, “This is a symbol of the progress, plans, and transformation we have envisioned for Shillong.” He added that this was just the beginning, with other projects in the pipeline, including more than Rs 35 crore riverfront development project already sanctioned and underway.
Notably, the second phase of the Polo Shopping Complex, currently under implementation, will house 109 modern retail outlets, a food court, stack parking for 86 cars and 50 two-wheelers including EV charging stations, a gaming zone for children, and will feature 12 escalators, 5 lifts, 12 emergency exits, a 75 kilo liter capacity of sewage treatment plant, 110 CCTV cameras, water treatment plant, Building Management System (BMS), rainwater harvesting, and solar energy generation. The project has been designed to ensure safety, comfort, and environmental responsibility.
Following the inauguration, the Union Finance Minister chaired the North East Roundtable on the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, engaging in an interactive session with interns to gather feedback and understand their experiences.
The state is poised to unveil a series of transformative infrastructure and development projects. On the second day of her visit, at the LARITI Auditorium in Shillong, key projects will be launched, including:
- Redevelopment of Umiam Lake into a world-class sustainable tourism destination (₹99.99 crore)
- MICE and Cultural Infrastructure Hub at Mawkhanu, a flagship project to position Meghalaya as a business tourism destination (₹99.99 crore)
- Mawkhanu Football Stadium, India’s largest dedicated football stadium with a 40,000-seat capacity and a state-of-the-art academy (₹732 crore)
- Working Women’s Hostels in Shillong, Jowai, Byrnihat, and Tura to support women’s workforce participation (₹132 crore)
- Virtual inauguration of 75 Digital Libraries in remote areas to bridge the digital access gap for rural youth (₹162 crore)
The public event will also see the launch of the “Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy, 2025,” reflecting the state’s growing potential as a film tourism destination.
A significant highlight of the visit will be the flagging-off of premium pineapples from Meghalaya to Lulu Group, Dubai, marking a breakthrough in the State’s agri-export potential. This initiative, organized under the IFAD-supported Megha-LAMP program, signifies Meghalaya’s increasing integration with global markets and support for farmer collectives.
On July 12, Sitharaman will travel to Sohra to interact with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and “Lakhpati Didis” from the State, with the Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, also in attendance.
The four-day visit underscores the Centre’s ongoing support and commitment to Meghalaya’s development initiatives across key sectors.
