Shillong, Feb 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mr. Conrad K Sangma on his reply to the short duration discussion brought by Shri Heavingstone Kharpran, the MLA from 13- Mawryngkneng Constituency express his appreciation as it allowed to highlight the activities that was done by the Government.
The Chief Minister stated that Shillong is growing rapidly, bringing pressures like congestion, limited parking, and stressed water and drainage systems. These challenges are made harder by our hilly terrain and limited land but they are tackling them with a clear, phased plan.
Street vending has been organized with hawkers shifted to safer, designated zones; a new city‑wide fleet of 120 buses, including electric and AC buses, is being rolled out; river rejuvenation, drain cleaning, and public‑space improvements are underway; and parking is being addressed through regulated on‑street parking and 11 upcoming Multi‑Level Car Parks.
With Shillong population now exceeding 5 lakhs, it needs a two-pronged approach. Solve today’s problems in Shillong. Build tomorrow’s opportunities in New Shillong. The vision of building a USD 10‑billion economy rests on several pillars, and one of the central ideas is the creation of a strong growth hub that can drive jobs and investment.
Development of New Shillong dates back to 1995 and 2007, when 915 acres of land were acquired in Mawdiangdiang, Mawkasiang, and Umsawli under Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The COVID‑19 pandemic underscored the urgent need to develop New Shillong City and to diversify the economy by establishing a new, resilient growth centre.
This Government has taken it as a mandate to translate this idea of New Shillong into reality over the last five years and has operationalized, funded, and accelerated multiple components of the project.
The Chief said that over ₹6,000 crore has been sanctioned for New Shillong City’s development, with nearly 30% already utilized for on-ground infrastructure and key facilities. Development is progressing in phased manner:
In the Phase I –Administrative City 915 acres, Mawdiangdiang is nearing completion, and the shifting of administrative departments shall start this year. In the Phase II – Knowledge City 856 acres, Mawpdang–Mawkhanu acquired within four years; is being designed as an education, skill, and innovation hub.
In the Phase III – A dedicated Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD) corridor is being planned to connect the Administrative City with the Knowledge City, creating a compact and well‑planned stretch built around efficient public transport; this vision is already taking shape with the acquisition of 85 acres at the Tyngring, where the relocation of the Police Reserve from the city core is planned.
In short, New Shillong is being built as Meghalaya’s engine of growth, powered by four pillars that is tourism, sports and culture, education & skilling, and technology. Together, these sectors will attract new industries, create new opportunities, and generate over 1.5 lakh jobs, making New Shillong a true hub of employment for our youth.
The Chief Minister said to address the concern raised by the Member, especially the land use and environmental sustainability. The Chief Minister highlight the Shillong Master Plan. In simple terms, the Master Plan tells where the city should grow, where it must not grow, and how they protect our hills, rivers, open spaces, and neighbourhoods.
This plan, prepared by the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), covers the entire Greater Shillong Planning Area—about 288.5 Sq,km. For the first time, using GIS technology, a risk‑informed approach identifies all flood‑prone and landslide‑prone areas and restricts unsafe development.
What is important to highlight is that the Master Plan was shaped with strong community participation. About 15 Dorbar Shnongs from Umsarang, Saisiej, Mawlong, Lundiengngan, Mawkynring, Lumkseh, Wahmyntait, Kyrdeng, Mawkduk, Mawlonghared, Nongrah, Mawnianglah etc. expressed their concerns and I sincerely thank them for their valuable inputs. All their suggestions were carefully reviewed and incorporated before the plan was finalized.
In addition to this, to ensure safety, the Meghalaya Building Bye‑laws has been amended recently and now bans construction on slopes steeper than 50 degrees, preventing haphazard hill‑slope development.
The Chief Minister stress that connectivity is the Backbone of New Shillong, A Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) completed in 2025 lays out a 30‑year mobility roadmap.
Based on its recommendations, a structured, well‑connected grid of major roads—such as the Ummir–Mawkhanu, Polo–Umsawli, Mawpat–Umsawli, Umsawli Mawkasiang, Mawdiangdiang–Mawkhanu, Mawshbuit–Mawkasiang corridors, along with the internal road networks—has been planned to ensure smooth movement within New Shillong and seamless connectivity to the mother city.
The 10.95 km Ummir–Mawkhanu road with ₹201 crore is completed; other stretches are progressing. New Shillong also lies along the proposed Guwahati–Shillong–Silchar high‑speed corridor and benefits from the upgrading of the Shillong Airport.
This positions it as a regional growth centre connected to tourism zones like Umiam Lake. come to a very important necessity Water. Talking about building a new city, the first question that naturally arises is, Will there be enough water? We recognise that development will extend beyond government‑acquired land, and that growth will also take place in the surrounding communities.
Keeping this in mind, the Public Health Engineering Department prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the water needs for 32 villages such as Mawpdang, Mynriang, Deingpasoh, Jaroit, Mawthumthum, Wahsurei and more in the region.
The new system has been designed to provide 56 Million Liters per Day (MLD) of water for over 4 lakh people in the region at 135 Liters per Capita per Day (LPCD)— as per the standards. The Phase I of the project, costing ₹591 crore, has already been sanctioned and is under construction. The project draws water from the Wah Umkhen river and includes a dam, jack wells with pump houses and an approach bridge.
This is planned development, relying on sustainable surface water, proper storage, and scientific management, while avoiding tubewells that would deplete groundwater and harm our communities.
The Chief Minister sai that similarly, for power New Shillong’s power system has improved sharply with the new 33 kV Umroh Sub-Station, expanded 11 kV lines, and installation of transformers, cutting outages in areas like Mawkasiang from 63 hours to under 6 hours a month.
With upcoming 40 MVA substations at Mawkhanu and Umsawli, and new 33/11 kV Assembly Sub-Stations the city will have a strong and reliable power backbone for future growth. now draw the House’s attention to the Master Plan for the government‑acquired land at Mawkhanu and Mawdiangdiang, which has been prepared using the same scientific and careful approach.
Detailed studies of the terrain including contours, slopes, hill profiles, wind and water flow, and rainfall were carried out to ensure the design works naturally with the landscape and prevents issues like flooding or waterlogging.
The entire plan follows the URDPFI (Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation) Guidelines, ensuring a well‑organized, environmentally responsible, and future‑ready township.
Chief Minister said that it have made good progress on development of New Shillong City. Phase 1 of New Shillong, the Administrative City, has grown into a strong centre for education and public services, with institutions such as Meghalaya Secretariat, IIM Shillong, NIFT, NEIAH, and NEIGRIHMS creating a powerful knowledge and healthcare ecosystem.
The New Meghalaya Secretariat, being constructed at a cost of ₹1,231 crore, has recorded remarkable progress in the last four months, with 35% of the physical work now completed. The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building is also nearing completion, with only the final components of the project pending. With this, New Shillong City is emerging as the State’s future administrative hub.
The area is also evolving into a vibrant commercial centre. With the Unity Mall already 40% complete and additional planned commercial streets, New Shillong City is rapidly transforming into a dynamic urban hub.
A major focus in Phase 1 has been creating an inclusive and balanced urban environment. Around 64.9 acres have been earmarked for new higher‑education and skilling institutions. The IT Park has already generated employment for more than 1,500 young people. Housing is a key component, with 51.68 acres allocated for residential development, including 10.9 acres for affordable housing with 435 planned units.
The Master Plan ensures adequate social infrastructure with schools, community facilities, and green areas supported by initiatives like the 10,000‑sapling cherry blossom plantation drive to maintain strong environmental quality.
Phase 2, the Knowledge City at Mawkhanu, is being developed as a land of opportunity for our youth, driven by major investments in education, technology, sports, and culture. This phase will include a major IT Park, a Skills and Innovation Hub, and landmark cultural and sporting assets such as the country’s tallest Monolith Tower and India’s largest 40,000‑seater football stadium with a NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC) training centre.
These developments will create vibrant new economies, and it will generate new jobs and opportunities for local people. Phase 2 has been designed with strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, community spaces, and job creation. The plan provides 85.9 acres of parks and open spaces — more than double the requirement.
The layout promotes walkability with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure along all major roads. Land has been set aside for hotels, a world‑class convention centre, service apartments, offices, and mixed housing, much of which will be developed under PPP models to generate large‑scale local employment and make the Knowledge City a major economic engine.
The chief Minister wants to bring the house’s attention to Town and Country Planning Scheme. They recognize that development cannot be confined only to land acquired by the Government. In the Town and Country Planning Scheme, we have created a unique mechanism through which traditional institutions and local communities are formally represented in the Local Area Committees which will plan development for the locality in a collaborative manner.
The development of New Shillong is being undertaken with vision, scientific planning, and strong safeguards. It is – Environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, economically transformative, Respectful of local communities, Designed for long-term sustainability.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that the people of Mawryngkneng and all surrounding areas benefit directly and meaningfully from this development. it is clear that New Shillong City is far more than an urban project, it is Meghalaya’s growth engine and biggest generator of jobsthe New Shillong will create opportunities at a scale that touches every family and every community across our State.
