Shillong, April 28: In an ambitious move to transform its transport and logistics landscape, Meghalaya has requested $300 million in assistance for the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project (MLCIP).

The aim of MLCIP is to provide efficient, resilient, and safe connectivity to key regional corridors and economic centres in Meghalaya, a state whose economic growth has long been held back by difficult terrain and inadequate infrastructure.

“Despite its abundant natural resources, Meghalaya faces challenges such as inadequate transport connectivity and inefficient logistics infrastructure and services that have resulted in limited market access for local products, wastage of agricultural produce, and high logistics costs,” the World Bank said. It added that the transport challenges stem from a complex combination of inadequate funds, their inefficient use, low institutional effectiveness, hilly terrain, and extreme climatic conditions.

Currently, about 250 kilometres of road corridors have been tentatively identified, with priority corridors under selection. Of the total proposed support, the World Bank will be providing $240 million.

The Bank noted that Meghalaya aims to significantly increase agriculture’s economic contribution and per capita income through better access to markets via an efficient, all-weather transport and logistics network. The implementation of the project’s core initiatives is expected to result in: (a) enhanced connectivity to key growth centers along identified road corridors; (b) improved rural and district-level logistics infrastructure and services; (c) greater market access and reduced average cost/time for select agriculture and horticulture products to reach markets; (d) strengthened institutional capacity for efficient, climate-resilient transport and logistics; and (e) direct benefits to millions of users through improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure.

The project, whose broader objective is to improve connectivity, logistics efficiency, and modernise transport institutions, is expected to help Meghalaya move toward middle-income status, with higher incomes, more jobs, improved quality of life, and progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

Implementation will be led by the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development & Finance Corporation (MIDFC), in partnership with the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India. The project is currently under preparation and is scheduled to be presented to the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors for formal approval on February 19, 2026. This approval would clear the way for funding and the beginning of project execution.

The MLCIP will also focus on critical areas such as stabilisation of slopes, reuse of excavated pavement materials, use of alternative and local marginal materials, and identifying opportunities for enhancing energy efficiency to build a more sustainable transport system.

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