Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today petitioned the central government for more funding for a massive Rs 431 crore project dubbed the ‘Unity Mall’, which is to be built in the New Shillong Township.
The Unity Mall project is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry under Part 6 of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24.
The estimated cost is Rs 431 crore and the Centre has allocated Rs 132 crore. However, Meghalaya needs more funding support from the central government to “achieve our ambitious vision of building this iconic Unity Mall,” Sangma said in a letter to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today. “Given our high level of project readiness and the acute need for building an iconic Unity Mall in a tourism hub like Shillong, I urge you to substantially increase our allocation so that the State can implement this unique project,” he appealed.
Attempting to loosen the central purse strings, Sangma said that the mall “aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister to foster national integration, support the ‘Make in India’ concept and facilitate the implementation of the ODOP (One District One Product) idea.”
The detailed project report (DPR) for the mall, which has been allocated 17 acres of land, has already been submitted to the Union Ministry on June 30.
“The Unity Mall project holds immense significance for Meghalaya as it aligns with our goal of promoting local regional products, developing tourism and generating economic prosperity,” the CM’s letter said.
