Shillong, Oct 18: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said expansion of the Shillong airport would be a major game changer for the state and its tourism sector.
According to him, over 3000 youth would get employment in the transport sector.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said that the government constituted committee headed by the director of tourism has been holding regular consultations with all stakeholders.
“I have already personally attended two conclaves and met various stakeholders in the tourism sector. The expansion of the airport will be a major game changer. Once that happens our dependence on road connectivity and road sector and transportation by road will be reduced and also with the expansion of the activities of the department, we will be in a position to provide employment to not less than 3000 more youth in the transport sector,” he said.
Lyngdoh also announced that the department will shortly be engaging tourist bodies.
“We will begin with 50 youths, who will be part of the process of guiding, providing information and generally representing the face of Meghalaya when it comes to dealing with visitors in the state. At the initial stage, we will have these bodies at Sohra, Umiam and Shillong,” he said.
Asked on the issues raised by a particular taxi association, Lyngdoh said that the committee would be meeting them tomorrow.
“Secondly, you would have seen the reaction of various stakeholders. They have been emphatic in saying you can’t disallow transporters from another state to Meghalaya. They have been very clear. It is not the government saying it but it is the various stakeholders, who have said it. Having said that, we also have to look at ourselves, the quality of services that we need to improve, the language, the behaviour, the dress code, the punctuality. In a competitive world people have choices. Therefore, we cannot make these secondary, they have to be fundamental as you embrace that particular trade or profession. So apart from that in an open economy that on any given day, we are short by 3500 vehicles ferrying people to Meghalaya,” he added.
Further, Lyngdoh informed that Umiam will soon become a major tourist hub.
He said, “The circuit that we are contemplating, we are now in the process of acquiring land. The land is being transferred to us, about 300 acres by the MeECL through the power department. Also, the Lum Nehru Park, which is in the forest department, is being transferred to the tourism department. The entire area in and around Umiam will be a major tourist hub once these activities are completed.”
On the environmental concerns, the minister however said, “You must be aware that the high court is at our doorstep. You can’t do things which will be questioned by the court at any time. We are ceased with these concerns. We would like to work in a framework where the concerns, the environment for our water bodies are in sync with our objective to push tourism as a sector. “
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