Shillong, Jun 20: Central assistance and externally aided financing have played a transformative role in the North East over the last several years, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said as she wrapped her two-day visit to Meghalaya on Saturday.
Sitharaman said such support is helping states take up critical projects in infrastructure, education, skilling and social development while reducing the financial burden on state governments.
She added that strengthening institutional capacity and project implementation systems across the North East would be key to sustaining this momentum and expanding the pipeline of transformative projects.
Earlier in the day the Finance Minister inaugurated the 59.955 kilometre Jowai–Nartiang–Kdiap–Khanduli road in West Jaintia Hills, funded by the New Development Bank at an estimated cost of Rs. 59.48 crore. The project is expected to improve connectivity and access to economic opportunities in the region.
She also interacted with students of Kiang Nangbah Government College, met young grassroots footballers at the Wahiajer Centre, and visited the Shree Ma Jayantee Temple and the historic Monoliths at Nartiang Village.
The minister also engaged with artisans, exhibitors and local entrepreneurs showcasing the State’s cultural heritage, traditional handicrafts and GI tagged products.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the State has built a sustainable ecosystem and used development partnerships to fast-track growth.
Sitharaman commended the leadership, noting that Meghalaya is linking strategic investments with outcomes at the community level.
The visit ended with a valedictory session of the conference on Leveraging Externally Aided Projects in the North Eastern States, where officials said the State is advancing towards its vision of a Viksit Meghalaya by 2032.
