Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for several Externally Aided Projects in Meghalaya on Friday, representing a total investment of Rs 1,246 crore. These initiatives focus on improving road connectivity, logistics, tourism, education, and local livelihoods to stimulate long-term economic growth in the state.
The investment package includes the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project at Rs 957.46 crore, alongside funding for human capital development, ecotourism infrastructure, and sustainable agricultural livelihoods. Sitharaman addressed a crowd at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, noting that the region's natural resources and diverse agricultural produce, such as Lakadong turmeric and Khasi Mandarin, require better market access to thrive.
Highlighting the broader regional strategy, the Finance Minister remarked that these projects provide more than simple financing, as they bring global knowledge and innovative technologies. Sitharaman stated, "Describing EAPs as more than just financing tools, Sitharaman said they bring global knowledge, international best practices, and innovative technologies from institutions like the World Bank, ADB, IFAD, and JICA."
National infrastructure gains were also a focal point, with the government noting that 10,000 km of National Highways have been constructed in the Northeast since 2014. Support for regional Externally Aided Projects has increased significantly over the last decade, rising from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 76,000 crore. Sitharaman emphasized that the mission to achieve a developed India by 2047 depends heavily on a well-connected and prosperous Northeast.
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