Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wrapped up a two-day visit to Meghalaya on Saturday after assessing various infrastructure, agricultural, and livelihood initiatives. The tour aimed to accelerate the state's economic progress and solidify its position as a central development hub for the Northeast.
During her trip, the minister attended the Conference on Leveraging Externally Aided Projects in the North-Eastern States. She discussed how development financing allows states to manage essential projects in education, infrastructure, and social development without overwhelming their budgets. She observed that such support is helping states undertake critical projects across infrastructure, education, skilling and social development while significantly reducing the financial burden on state governments.
In Jowai, Sitharaman inaugurated the 59.9-kilometre Jowai-Nartiang-Kdiap-Khanduli Road. Funded by the New Development Bank for Rs 59.48 crore, the project is intended to enhance connectivity and unlock new economic opportunities for local residents. The visit also included meetings with entrepreneurs, artisans, and students, including a visit to the Kiang Nangbah Government College.
Sitharaman praised the local sporting talent after meeting young footballers at the Wahiajer Centre. She also explored traditional handicrafts and GI-tagged products while visiting the historic monoliths at Nartiang. As the state pursues its 2032 development vision, officials pointed to these investments as a strategy to balance economic growth with grassroots empowerment.
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