Meghalaya Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme 2025 is a new public transport initiative launched by the Government of Meghalaya to connect Block Headquarters with District Headquarters through a reliable daily bus network. Notified by the Transport Department on 11th July 2025, the scheme falls under the state's broader Chief Minister's Elevate Program, which promotes entrepreneurship-driven access to government schemes through a single online portal. Instead of expanding the Meghalaya Transport Corporation's own fleet, the government is enabling private entrepreneurs to own and operate buses on underserved routes, so that residents in remote Blocks get dependable connectivity to essential services like healthcare, education, and local markets.

Under the scheme, eligible entrepreneurs get government support covering up to 50% of the total vehicle cost, including the interest charged on the bank loan. This comes as a 35% down payment paid directly to the bank, on top of a monthly EMI subsidy of up to 30%, credited straight to the operator once they meet performance conditions such as running at least one round trip a day between the Block Headquarters and District Headquarters. The remaining cost is split between a 5% beneficiary contribution and a 60% bank loan, repayable over a minimum of five years. The government also covers the one-time cost of the GPS device and vehicle branding, and provides free operator training and capacity-building support through Meghalaya Transport Corporation.

The Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme is open to individual entrepreneurs who are permanent residents of Meghalaya, as well as registered bus or maxi-cab operators and unregistered but recognised bodies such as Self-Help Groups, Village Organisations, and traditional institutions. Applicants need to be between 18 and 58 years of age, have experience as a commercial driver, and must not be a loan defaulter. Current or retired government employees, sitting or aspiring political representatives, registered Class-1 contractors, and government consultants are not eligible to apply. The eligibility conditions vary for registered and unregistered entities, which must meet their respective requirements under the scheme.

Applications can now be submitted online through the Meghalaya One Portal, where eligible applicants register their details, select the scheme, provide the required information, and upload the necessary documents. The application is then screened by a State Level Screening Committee before shortlisted applicants undergo further evaluation and interview. The scheme is being rolled out in two phases over two years, with two buses allocated per route, divided as one bus per route each year. Selected entrepreneurs must sign a 10-year tripartite contract with the Transport Department and their financing bank before receiving their vehicle. As this is a recently notified scheme, applicants should check the Meghalaya One Portal for the latest application window, available routes, and other scheme-related updates.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides financial assistance to purchase buses for regional transport services.
• Reduces the upfront cost through Government support and bank credit.
• Provides a monthly EMI support of up to 30% based on performance.
• Offers credit linkage through partner banks.
• Provides a pre-fitted GPS device with a 5-year warranty at Government cost.
• Covers the vehicle branding cost for the first time.
• Provides free operator training and capacity-building programmes through Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC).
• Creates self-employment opportunities in the public transport sector.
• Improves reliable transport connectivity between Block Headquarters and District Headquarters.

Financial Assistance Details

• The Government provides support of up to 50% of the total vehicle cost, including the interest charged by the bank on the loan.
• The Government pays 35% of the project cost directly to the bank as the down payment.
• The beneficiary contributes 5% of the project cost towards the down payment.
• The remaining 60% of the project cost is financed through a bank loan.
• The Government provides up to 30% of the payable monthly EMI as performance-based support.
• The EMI support is provided monthly after the beneficiary meets the prescribed performance conditions, including the minimum number of trips.
• Credit linkage is provided through the scheme's partner banks.
• The Government bears the one-time cost of the pre-fitted GPS device, which comes with a 5-year warranty.
• The Government also bears the vehicle branding cost on a one-time basis.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility conditions differ based on the type of applicant. Individual entrepreneurs, registered entities, and unregistered entities must fulfil separate requirements under the scheme.

For Individual Entrepreneurs

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Meghalaya.
• The applicant must be above 18 years and below 58 years of age.
• The applicant must have experience as a commercial driver.
• The applicant must provide a valid government-issued ID proof with an address, such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence.
• The applicant must not be a credit defaulter with any bank.
• Only one member from a family can avail the scheme.
• Preference is given to entrepreneurs from the Block where the proposed route originates, followed by applicants from the corresponding District.

For Registered Entities

• Recognised and registered bus operators, maxi-cab operators, and similar entities based in Meghalaya can apply.
• The entity must have experience operating public transport vehicles such as buses, maxi cabs, or taxis.
• The entity must not be a defaulter with any financial institution.
• The entity must provide an Incorporation Certificate or Registration Certificate, as applicable.
• Preference is given to entities from the Block where the proposed route originates, followed by entities from the corresponding District.

For Unregistered Entities

• Recognised unregistered entities such as Village Organisations, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and traditional communities based in Meghalaya can apply.
• The entity must submit a recommendation letter from the Block Development Officer (BDO).
• The entity must not be a credit defaulter with any financial institution.
• Preference is given to entities from the Block where the proposed route originates, followed by entities from the corresponding District.

Who Cannot Apply?

• Current full-time or contractual State or Central Government employees.
• Retired Government employees receiving a Government pension, along with specified immediate family members covered under the scheme conditions.
• Employees of public sector undertakings, their subsidiaries, and related divisions.
• Individuals holding or seeking political positions, including MLAs, MLCs, and MPs.
• Registered Class-I contractors.
• Consultants currently engaged with the State or Central Government.
• Pressure groups and organisations that are primarily political in nature are not ordinarily considered.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit documents based on their applicant category. The requirements differ for individuals, registered entities, and unregistered entities.

For Individuals

• Commercial Driving Licence.
• Proof of identity of the applicant, such as Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence.
• PAN Card, if available.
• Latest bank statement for the last 1 year.
• Ration Card of the applicant.

For Registered Entities

• Incorporation Certificate or Registration Certificate.
• Commercial Driving Licence of the driver.
• Proof of identity of the President and Secretary, such as Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence.
• PAN Card of the President or Secretary, if available.
• Latest bank statement for the last 1 year.
• GST Certificate, if available.
• ITR for 2023-24, if available.
• Ration Card of the applicant.

For Unregistered Entities

• Commercial Driving Licence.
• Proof of identity of the President and Secretary, such as Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence.
• PAN Card of the President or Secretary, if available.
• Latest bank statement for the last 1 year.
• Ration Card of the applicant, if available.
• Recommendation letter from the Block Development Officer (BDO).

The concerned department or partner bank may ask for additional documents during the application or verification process.

Steps to Apply

Eligible applicants can apply for the Meghalaya Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme online through the Meghalaya One Portal. Applicants must complete the online application and upload all required documents for verification.

1. Visit the official Meghalaya One Portal.
2. Register on the portal or log in using your existing credentials.
3. Select the Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme from the available schemes.
4. Enter the required personal, applicant, and transport-related details in the application form.
5. Upload the required documents according to your applicant category.
6. Check all the details and submit the application online.
7. Wait for the outcome of the selection process (covered separately below).
8. Once selected, pay your 5% share of the down payment within the specified time, or the allotment moves to the next applicant on the waiting list.
9. The partner bank sanctions the loan, and the Government releases its down payment subsidy to the bank, after which the bank remits the full vehicle amount to the dealer.
10. Sign the 10-year tripartite contract with the Transport Department and the financing bank.
11. Complete the mandatory "CM RTS – Operator Training Program" conducted by Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) and pass the test to receive a certificate of completion.
12. Receive the vehicle after an official flag-off and begin operating on the allotted route.

Applicants should ensure that all information and documents submitted through the Meghalaya One Portal are accurate and complete to avoid delays during the verification process.

Selection Process

After online submission, eligible applications are screened by the State Level Screening Committee (SLSC). The committee verifies the applicant's eligibility and submitted documents.

• Shortlisted applicants may be called for an interview and detailed evaluation.
• The evaluation considers the applicant's prior experience, business acumen, creditworthiness, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of transport operations.
• The applicant's willingness and ability to operate the required route are also considered.
• Preference is given to applicants from the Block where the proposed route originates, followed by applicants from the corresponding District.
• Registered entities and unregistered entities are considered according to the eligibility and preference conditions prescribed under the scheme.
• After evaluation, the SLSC approves the selected applicants and approval letters are issued to them.

Relevant Links

• Meghalaya Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme Application.
• Meghalaya CM Regional Transport Scheme Details
• Meghalaya Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme Notification.
• Chief Minister's Regional Transport Scheme SOP
• Meghalaya Transport Department

Contact Information

• Meghalaya Transport Department Phone Number: 0364-2232779
• Meghalaya Transport Department Email Helpdesk: [email protected].