Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of Meghalaya stated that New Shillong is being developed on four key pillars: tourism, sports and culture, education and skills development, and technology. Mr. Sangma informed the State Assembly that Shillong is growing rapidly, and the New Shillong Township is being developed, which will be Meghalaya's "engine of growth," creating 1.5 lakh jobs in the future.
In response to a brief discussion initiated by MLA Heaving Stone Kharpran of Mawryngkneng on developmental activities in New Shillong, Mr. Sangma said that the township is being built with an investment of over 6000 crore rupees, and over 915 acres of land were acquired between 1995 and 2017. With Shillong's population now exceeding five lakhs, the government is implementing a two-pronged strategy to address the current challenges in Shillong while creating future opportunities in New Shillong.