Shillong, July 9: As part of its endeavour to promote high-value, low-volume tourism in Meghalaya, with a focus on luxury and eco-tourism, the state government has decided to construct five star luxury resorts in East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills and have identified plots for clamping sites at Sohra and Umiam.
Announcing this on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that the decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma yesterday which discussed various projects, including a five-star luxury resort at Sohra and glamping sites at Sohra and Umiam.
“I am glad to inform you that we are making significant strikes and we are entering into a PPP mode in several new initiatives. One such initiative, which has reached a very advanced stage, is the construction of a five star luxury resort at Sohra. We are completing the financial bid on July 11,” he said.
The minister also informed that the government will also construct an Integrated 5-Star Resort at Umiam. The project will cover 35 acres of mainland and 36.78 acres of island, with the tendering process expected to begin soon.
“At Umiam, with the department of forest and environment handing over and transferring of close to 300 acres of land, we will now be able to expand the flagship programme for 5Star Resort at Umiam which will be of global scale and pride for Meghalaya’s tourism,” he said adding “We are integrating 36.78 acres Island which is a part of the Umiam Lake and was earlier being run by one private entrepreneur, now this has also been settled. So we will now have 35 acres of mainland plus 36.78 of Island to be part of the Integrated 5Star Resort.”
Lyngdoh added that the government’s decision for redevelopment of Polo Orchid Hotel in Tura and said that the hotel will be upgraded to a luxury standard, with over 100 rooms, and is expected to increase footfall in the area.
He further announced that the government has identified plots at Sohra and Umiam for clamping sites, which are unique and new to Meghalaya.
“We will be able to see that these clamping sites are also taken up within this current financial year,”the minister added.
Highlighting the objective of the government, Lyngdoh said, “These initiatives which are supported by capital subsidies and tax incentives under the MIIPP and NE Industrial Policy will certainly help attaining the stage of a premiere destination for luxury and eco tourism and it also is in sync with what we are promoting right now which is high value low volume tourism.”
On the infrastructure development aspect, the minister said that the expansion work of the Shillong Airport is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with daily flights from Shillong to Tura and Guwahati.
On the Shillong-Tura Copter Service, he said that the service is expected to be relaunched on a daily basis once the airport expansion is completed.
Also Read: Hawker relocation begins, parking projects underway to ease Shillong traffic: Dhar
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