Shillong

Declaring that the Northeast is entering a new era of ambition and confidence, Conrad Sangma on Monday said the region is now "daring to dream" and invited investors to become part of its growth story.

Addressing the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Shillong, Sangma said the region today possesses the political will, supportive policies and a renewed mindset needed to accelerate development.

"Earlier, we didn't dare to dream, but now we are, and that's a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region," he said.

The summit, being held from June 15 to 16 at the Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong, was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Neiphiu Rio and several other dignitaries.

Highlighting Meghalaya's economic progress, Sangma said the state's budget has doubled over the past eight years.

"In the last eight years, our budget has grown twice as much. And I am confident that by 2028-2029, it will grow to thrice of what the volume was eight years ago," he said.

He added that capital expenditure on infrastructure projects has expanded six-fold during the same period.

"Our capital expenditure, the expenditure on infrastructure and investment we do, has grown six times in the last eight years," Sangma said.

Among Meghalaya's flagship projects, the chief minister announced that the state is constructing what he described as the country's largest dedicated football stadium.

"In this country, the biggest dedicated football stadium is being built in Meghalaya, with a capacity of 40,000, and worth about Rs 800 crore investment—a FIFA-certified football stadium which can host any international-level game," he said.

Sangma also noted that Meghalaya will host the National Games next year and said preparations are progressing rapidly.

The chief minister outlined several major public infrastructure initiatives underway in the state, including the completion of a new Assembly building and the construction of a new Secretariat complex.

"Our new assembly building is ready, our new secretariat building is getting built, and perhaps in a year or year and a half, we will be able to start our administrative work from there," he said.

In a significant boost to Meghalaya's hospitality sector, Sangma said the state, which previously had no five-star hotels, has witnessed rapid expansion.

"Meghalaya earlier didn't have a single five-star hotel. In the last five years, we have started two five-star hotels. And you will be happy to learn that in the next three-four years, eight new five stars are set to be opened, their agreements signed, and work has started on four of them," he said.

He also said that commercial aviation connectivity in the state is set to improve substantially.

The airport in Shillong, which had remained closed after being built, has resumed operations and is expected to handle larger commercial flights within the next one to one-and-a-half years.

Underlining the urgency of the moment for the Northeast, Sangma said the region already has many of the ingredients required for transformation.

"Time is crucial for the Northeast, and we just need to connect the dots," he said.

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Before the inaugural session, Gadkari participated in a CEO roundtable discussion and inaugurated an exhibition featuring companies participating in the infrastructure summit.