Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced over ₹6.2 lakh crore investment in the North East to boost connectivity and development, unveiling major projects in Meghalaya, including the Integrated Sohra Circuit and infrastructure initiatives under the PM-DevINE scheme.
Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Saturday announced that over ₹6.2 lakh crore has been channelled into the North Eastern Region (NER) to transform it from a landlocked zone into a land-linked powerhouse.
Speaking at an event in Meghalaya, where he laid the foundation stone for the Integrated Sohra Circuit Development Project under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE), Scindia said the decade-long efforts of the Narendra Modi government have ushered in unprecedented transformation in the Northeast through focused investments in connectivity, infrastructure, and tourism.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the last ten years have witnessed the Northeast’s transformation from isolation to integration, from neglect to empowerment,” Scindia said.
Massive Financial Push for Northeast
The DoNER Minister underlined that over ₹6.2 lakh crore has been infused into the region under the 10 per cent gross budgetary support policy, fostering enterprise, connectivity, and empowerment across diverse sectors.
This strategic investment, Scindia said, has catalysed the region’s socio-economic rise, positioning the Northeast as a key player in India’s development narrative.
He highlighted that Meghalaya has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries, recording a 12–16 per cent growth in the post-COVID years, driven by focused development in air connectivity, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism.
Major Connectivity and Infrastructure Projects
Among the transformative projects, Scindia cited the 166.8 km Shillong–Silchar Greenfield Expressway, worth ₹22,864 crore, which will redefine surface transport across Meghalaya and Assam. The Umroi Airport expansion, enabling larger aircraft operations, has already increased flight frequency and passenger movement manifold.
Additionally, the upcoming New Shillong City project will evolve as a smart-green township and a knowledge hub for the region, symbolising the government’s commitment to sustainable urban development.
“Meghalaya stands today at the confluence of heritage and hope. These projects are not just about building infrastructure; they are about building futures,” Scindia said.
Sohra Circuit: Transforming Meghalaya’s Tourism
The day’s highlight was the foundation laying of the Integrated Sohra Circuit, one of the most ambitious tourism initiatives in the Northeast. Conceived jointly by the Ministry of DoNER and the Meghalaya government, the ₹650 crore project aims to position Sohra (Cherrapunji) as a multi-day experiential tourism destination anchored in sustainability and local livelihoods.
Out of the total investment, ₹221 crore comes from the DoNER Ministry. The Sohra Experience Centre at Kutmadan, being developed at ₹115 crore, will serve as the cultural nucleus of the circuit — showcasing Meghalaya’s tribal heritage through amphitheatres, rain experience parks, art galleries, and craft pavilions.
Supporting projects include:
-
Nohkalikai Falls precinct (₹26 crore)
-
Mawsmai Eco Park (₹29 crore)
-
Seven Sisters Falls Viewpoint
-
Shella Riverside Development
-
Wahkaliar Canyon with adventure features like hot-air balloon rides
Collectively, these projects are expected to increase tourist spending sixfold and generate over 4,600 direct and indirect jobs, strengthening local economies.
Roads and Bridges for Better Connectivity
Scindia also inaugurated several infrastructure projects aimed at improving mobility and trade within Meghalaya and across borders:
-
Pynursla–Latangriwan–Mawlynnong Road (₹29.97 crore) – ensuring all-weather access to Asia’s cleanest village and promoting cross-border tourism.
-
Mawshynrut–Hahim (Athiabari) Road (₹99.76 crore) – upgraded to intermediate lane standards to boost agricultural connectivity in western Meghalaya.
-
Bridge over Umngot River (₹21.86 crore) – connecting East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills for faster goods and passenger movement.
Scindia also announced that the Umroi Airport runway extension and the upcoming Shillong Western Bypass will reduce travel time between Guwahati and Sohra to about four hours, making Meghalaya a more accessible tourism and trade hub.
Tourism with a Purpose
Describing Meghalaya as “a heaven on earth, the abode of clouds and cascading waterfalls,” Scindia reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to responsible, inclusive, and heritage-based tourism.
He said, “The Sohra Circuit will ensure that the first smile a tourist sees in Meghalaya becomes the first income earned by a local family.”
The project reflects the government’s broader philosophy of inclusive development — combining cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
Towards Viksit Bharat @2047
Scindia expressed optimism that the synergy between the Centre and the Meghalaya government, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, will accelerate the state’s growth trajectory.
“With the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, Meghalaya is set to emerge as a connected, confident, and competitive state,” Scindia said.
| Also Read: Congress ready to ally with TMP against BJP rule |
The DoNER Minister concluded by reiterating that the government’s focus on connectivity, capability, and community will continue to drive the Northeast’s transformation into a true engine of India’s growth.
