SHILLONG: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated Shillong Tech Park-II at New Shillong Township, Umsawli, adding 1.8 lakh sq ft of ready-to-occupy technology space to the state’s IT infrastructure on Wednesday.
Built at a cost of Rs 121 crore, Phase-II is the largest single addition of dedicated IT space in Meghalaya so far.
Speaking at the programme, Sangma said the inauguration marked the realisation of an idea he had first conceived in 2008 to establish an IT park, innovation hub and ecosystem where technology and entrepreneurship could grow in Shillong.
During the ceremony, agreements were signed with StaffFlex LLP, a Shillong-based business process management company serving clients in the UK; Shamrock AI, which is expanding its presence from Phase-I into the new facility; and Alorica, a US-based multinational that will occupy two floors, representing the largest single commitment in the new building.
An Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence will also be hosted at the park under the IndiaAI Mission of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Sangma said Phase-II was close to being fully booked even before its inauguration, which he described as an indication of the demand for Grade-A technology space in Shillong.
He noted that Meghalaya-based companies such as StaffFlex and Shamrock AI would operate alongside multinational companies, demonstrating that the park could serve both local businesses and companies from outside the state.
The chief minister said Meghalaya’s economy had more than doubled since 2018 and the government was targeting another doubling by 2032. He attributed the growth in part to policy stability, noting that the state has had 27 governments in its 54-year history, while the present government has entered its eighth year.
Sangma said the Tech Park could not develop in isolation and outlined several infrastructure projects being undertaken to create a broader ecosystem for investment and technology.
These include the construction of a dedicated football stadium at a cost of Rs 700 crore, the upcoming Secretariat at New Shillong Township, which is expected to be ready for shifting by August 2027, and the expansion of the hospitality sector, with 10 five-star hotels currently in the pipeline compared to none in 2018.
He also highlighted the ongoing runway extension at Shillong Airport, which he said would enable larger commercial aircraft to operate by September-October 2027. The airport would be less than 20 minutes from the Tech Park, he said.
Sangma further cited road infrastructure projects, including investments exceeding Rs 24,000 crore and an additional Rs 10,000 crore up to the Guwahati Express Highway, which he said would reduce travel time between Shillong and Guwahati to less than 90 minutes.
Emphasising the importance of professionalism and discipline, Sangma pointed to the timely conduct of the inauguration programme, noting that he had arrived at 4:15 pm for a 4:30 pm event and began walking towards the venue at 4:29 pm.
On human resources, he said Meghalaya’s young population provided a strong foundation for the growth of the technology sector, with around half of the state’s population below the age of 20.
“The youth are tech-savvy, explore, innovate and are linked to global trends,” he said.
He said the government was investing in skill development through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society, the Meghalaya Skills programme, the Government Engineering College established two years ago and an upcoming Skill University expected to come up near the Tech Park in the next 1.5 to two years.
Sangma called for closer collaboration between the government and technology companies to develop courses based on industry requirements and address specific skill gaps rather than attempting to provide training across every field.
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He said Shillong should develop into a Centre of Excellence for Northeast India, BIMSTEC and Southeast Asia, positioning itself as a technology and innovation hub.
The chief minister also noted that the government itself was among the largest consumers of technology and that solutions developed and implemented in Meghalaya could potentially be replicated in other states.
Recalling his visit to Berkeley in 2018-19, Sangma said he had met industry leaders there who were now investing in Meghalaya. He said Shillong should similarly become a place associated with innovation and where technology leaders come together.
He also said the facility should be viewed as a “Tech and Innovation Park” rather than being limited to information technology, with greater focus on entrepreneurship and innovation beyond computer-based technology.
Referring to the agreements signed during the inauguration, Sangma said the government wanted to focus on tangible outcomes rather than large numbers of memoranda of understanding.
“This is real. The signing of the agreement is real. The jobs we are creating are real. We don’t want big stories and big MoUs. We will do few things but do them well,” he said.
The chief minister also appreciated the IT Department for not felicitating him during its programme, saying the department had instead recognised other contributors, including the Vice Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University and Rangbah Shnong.
