Shillong, Feb 2: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on February 1 welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, stating that it reflects the Centre’s clear intent to transform the Northeast into a key driver of growth in eastern India through focused and strategic interventions.
Reacting to the Budget, Sangma described it as both visionary and holistic, noting that it places people-centric and inclusive development at the core of national planning. In a post on social media platform X, he said the special emphasis on the Northeast demonstrated the Union government’s determination to unlock the region’s economic potential and integrate it more closely with India’s broader growth trajectory.
“The special focus on the Northeast underscores the government’s firm resolve to transform the region into a dynamic growth engine of the East,” the Chief Minister said, while expressing appreciation for Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he called their continued commitment to inclusive development across the country.
Sangma highlighted several proposals in the Budget that directly impact the region. Among them is the plan to develop an integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor under the broader ‘Purvodaya’ vision, which aims to accelerate growth in eastern and northeastern states. He also pointed to the allocation for 4,000 electric buses for the region, a move expected to strengthen public transport systems while promoting sustainable mobility.
The Budget has additionally proposed the development of five tourism destinations across the five Purvodaya states, a step aimed at boosting tourism, generating employment and enhancing regional visibility. The inclusion of a Buddhist Circuit in the region was also noted as a significant initiative to promote cultural tourism and improve connectivity across eastern India.
According to the Meghalaya Chief Minister, these measures collectively signal a long-term strategy to position the Northeast as an integral part of India’s economic and cultural landscape, with infrastructure, tourism and sustainable development forming the backbone of future growth.
