Shillong’s iconic Police Bazar is witnessing a robust 12% rise in commercial leasing, signaling renewed confidence among retailers and businesses in Meghalaya’s urban core. Rentals for retail spaces have now climbed to Rs 40–70 per sq ft per month, depending on location and frontage, marking a strong rebound post-pandemic.

The surge is primarily fueled by urban expansion, improved pedestrian traffic, and growing consumer demand in the heart of Shillong. Police Bazar, a central shopping and business district, is seeing increased interest from local apparel stores, franchise outlets, eateries, and even start-up showrooms aiming to tap into Shillong’s rising middle-class footfall.

Real estate consultants and brokers confirm that short-term leasing is being replaced by long-term agreements, showing business owners’ long-term commitment to the city’s retail ecosystem. The rise in co-working cafes and lifestyle concept stores is also reshaping the traditional leasing profile of this area.

Contributing factors to this leasing boom include revamped roads, better waste management, and cleaner public infrastructure under Shillong’s Smart City initiatives. These upgrades have not only improved accessibility but also attracted investments from Tier-2 brands and regional retailers.

Meanwhile, vacant corner properties and old buildings are being refurbished and relaunched, adding more leasable inventory to the market. Experts believe that if this trend continues, Police Bazar may soon become one of Northeast India’s top-tier high streets, rivalling commercial spots in Guwahati and Aizawl.