Meghalaya CM urges Goyal to enhance fund support for Unity Mall project

SHILLONG, JULY 4: Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday met Union Minister in-charge Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi  to seek his support for the ‘Unity Mall’ project and also informed him about Meghalaya’s initiatives to implement key programs like One District One Product (ODOP) and building a start-up ecosystem.

He also stressed on the importance of the Unity Mall project, which aligns with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to foster national integration, support the “Make in India” concept and facilitate the implementation of the ODOP idea.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this project has already been submitted to the Ministry on 30th June 2023.

“The Unity Mall project holds immense significance for Meghalaya as it aligns with our goal of promoting local regional products, developing tourism, and generating economic prosperity.”

He further highlighted that the proposed Unity Mall will be strategically located in New Shillong Township/City, alongside the new Administrative City, business district, and regional tourism and hospitality hub. An investment of 3000 crores is proposed for the overall development.

The Unity Mall project is being implemented by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry under the Part-VI of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24.

TheCM also informed that the funds for this infrastructure project are being mobilized through an Externally Aided Project and the State is exploring all possible opportunities for getting additional support. The State Government has already acquired about 1700 acres of land for building the New Shillong City and institutes like the IIM Shillong and NIFT are already functioning from the area. A land parcel of around 17 acres has been allocated for the Unity Mall and it is conceptualized to be a key investment in the New Shillong city.

With a vision to make Meghalaya a developed State, Sangma urged the Union Minister to enhance the fund support from the Ministry for the Unity Mall project.

“To achieve our ambitious vision of building this iconic Unity Mall, Meghalaya would need higher level of funding support from the Ministry. The estimated cost of the project as per the DPR is Rs. 431 crores and the allocation to the State as per Ministry order no- F.No. 44 (1)/PF-S/2023-24 (CAPEX)(Pt.) is at Rs. 132 crores. Given our high level of project readiness and the acute need for building an iconic Unity Mall in a tourism hub like Shillong, I urge you to substantially increase our allocation so that the State can implement this unique project,” he appealed.

By Our Reporter