At the Mendipathar Industrial Growth Centre in the North Garo Hills District, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma formally opened PepsiCo plant of Varun Beverages Limited’s largest bottling facility in the Northeast.
Spanning 37 acres, the Rs 340‑crore facility marks a major milestone in Meghalaya’s industrial development. Mendipathar, notable for being the only town in the state with a railway head, had long been envisioned as an industrial hub—yet saw little progress for over three decades after its planning stages in the 1990s.
Economic Significance
The plant is expected to create several hundred direct and indirect job opportunities, significantly boosting local employment and stimulating ancillary industries like housing, retail, transportation, and supply chains
Sangma described the project as a “blessing” and a symbol of Meghalaya’s economic transformation, emphasizing its role in elevating youth aspirations and enabling new local business avenues.
Historical Context & Vision
Sangma paid tribute to his late father, former Lok Sabha Speaker P. A. Sangma, crediting him with the original vision for Mendipathar and broader development in the state. He also thanked local Nokmas and residents for donating land decades ago to facilitate the industrial area.
Future Expansion
During the inauguration, Sangma announced another beverage plant nearing completion in the Tikrikilla–Bajengdoba region, indicating continued efforts to expand the state’s industrial footprint