New Building Rules Proposed for Shillong Cantonment

Shillong: Shillong Cantonment residents are finally looking at a path forward. The Ministry of Defence published draft building bye-laws on July 3, 2026, aiming to break a 37-year development freeze. Locals have lived under a restrictive 0.5 Floor Space Index since 1989. That policy stopped families from expanding their homes or fixing aging structures. It left the area trapped in 1980s infrastructure.

Meghalaya Minister Sanbor Shullai welcomed the move. He noted that residents lacked a functional regulatory framework for decades. This created massive hurdles for anyone wanting to build or regularize property. Shullai said the draft is a "significant step towards resolving decades-old issues faced by residents of the Shillong Cantonment."

Public feedback is now open. Residents and stakeholders have until August 3 to file their objections or suggestions. Shullai plans to meet with the Lease Holders’ Association soon to gather local input. All feedback will go to the Ministry of Defence before the rules become final.

The minister credited a long list of officials for the progress. This includes Cantonment Board President Rajesh Verma, former CEO Ayush Maurya, nominated member Bipen Pradhan, and engineers from the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority. Shullai spent hours in meetings and made multiple trips to New Delhi to push for these changes. The final notification will move to finalize the laws once the consultation window closes.