Shillong, September 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday inaugurated Phase II of the Shillong Technology Park at New Shillong Township, Umsawli, in the presence of Minister Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed and officials of the IT Department.
Built at a cost of Rs. 121 crore, Phase II adds 1.8 lakh square feet of ready-to-occupy technology space, making it the largest single addition of dedicated IT space in Meghalaya so far.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sangma said the project marked the realisation of an idea first conceived in 2008 to create an IT park and innovation ecosystem in Shillong that could support technology, entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Several agreements were signed during the event. Shillong-based StaffFlex LLP, which provides business process management services to clients in the UK, will take up space at the park. Shamrock AI, which already operates from Phase I, will expand into Phase II, while US-based multinational Alorica will occupy two floors, marking 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.
The Chief Minister said Phase II was nearly fully booked even before its inauguration, which he described as an indication of strong demand for Grade-A technology space in Shillong.
He also highlighted the participation of Meghalaya-based companies alongside multinational firms, saying the park could serve as a base for businesses founded in the state to provide services to international clients.
Sangma said Meghalaya’s economy has more than doubled since 2018, with the government aiming to double it again by 2032. He attributed the growth in part to policy stability and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including a new Secretariat at New Shillong Township, a planned administrative city, new hospitality projects, Shillong Airport runway expansion and improved road connectivity between Shillong and Guwahati.
On the technology sector, the Chief Minister stressed that human resources would be central to Meghalaya’s growth. He noted the state’s young population and said the government was supporting skill development through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society, Meghalaya Skills and other initiatives, along with the state’s first Government Engineering College and a proposed Skill University.
He called for closer partnerships between technology companies and educational institutions to develop industry-specific courses and address emerging niche skill requirements.
Sangma said Shillong should aspire to become a Centre of Excellence for Northeast India, BIMSTEC and Southeast Asia, positioning the city as a hub for innovation and technology solutions.
Recalling his visit to Berkeley in 2018-19, he said Shillong should similarly develop a reputation as a place where innovation leaders, entrepreneurs and technology companies come together.
He also stressed that the facility should be viewed as a Tech and Innovation Park, rather than being limited to conventional IT activities, with greater emphasis on entrepreneurship and emerging technologies.
Speaking about the agreements signed during the inauguration, Sangma said the government wanted to focus on tangible outcomes rather than large numbers of MoUs, stressing that the commitments made at the event were intended to translate into actual businesses and jobs.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the IT Department’s decision not to felicitate him during the government programme, instead recognising guests and other contributors, including the Vice Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University and Rangbah Shnong.
