The Meghalaya government was considering shifting the state secretariat and other administrative offices to New Shillong Township in a bid to decongest the capital, officials said on Thursday. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with Urban Affairs Minister S Dhar and top officials of the state government visited several sites in the new township, being developed around 12 km away from Shillong.

"We have come here to visit Mawdiangdiang, Mawpat and Mawkasiang to see the possibility of shifting the entire secretariat and the government departments here," Sangma told reporters. "We are examining the possibility, and contemplating which is going to be a better option for the state and its people," he added.