Varun Beverages unveils US$38.9M bottling plant in Meghalaya’s Garo hills
The plant is expected to generate direct and indirect employment, supporting Meghalaya’s long-awaited industrial and economic revival.
INDIA – Varun Beverages Limited (VBL), one of the largest bottling partners of PepsiCo, has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art bottling facility in Mendipathar, North Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
The Rs. 340-crore investment spans 37 acres within the Mendipathar Industrial Area, making it the largest private sector investment in the region in decades.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma officiated the launch and hailed the project as a landmark moment in the state’s industrial development.
He noted that the new facility would not only create employment but also stimulate broader economic activity in the Garo Hills region.
“This project is a blessing for our state. It will open up direct and indirect job opportunities and stimulate economic activity across Garo Hills,” said Sangma.
The new bottling plant is set to generate employment for nearly 500 individuals and will manufacture a range of PepsiCo beverages, including fruit-based juices. The operation is expected to catalyze growth in auxiliary sectors such as housing, retail, and logistics.
The Mendipathar Industrial Area, conceptualized more than three decades ago, had remained largely undeveloped until now. Sangma underscored the plant’s significance in realizing a long-standing vision championed by the late P.A. Sangma, who envisioned Mendipathar as a key industrial hub.
In addition, the chief minister announced the near-completion of another beverage facility in the Tikrikilla-Bajengdoba region, with 90% of construction already finalized.
Earlier in 2025, VBL commissioned another manufacturing facility in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, which is already operational and producing carbonated soft drinks, juice-based beverages, and packaged drinking water.
Financially, the company reported a 2.5% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to Rs 7,017.4 crore (US$808.3 million) in Q2 2025.
Although overall sales volume dipped by 3% to 389.7 million cases due to unseasonal rains, net profit rose 5% to Rs 1,317 crore (US$151.7 million), driven by improved operational efficiency and reduced finance costs.
The new Meghalaya facility reinforces Varun Beverages’ strategic expansion across key regions in India.
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