Govt aiming to establish direct flight connectivity from Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai to Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 22, 2024

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the Government is working on framework for notifying eco-tourism zones with defined carrying capacities and for charging a higher green fee from visitors where the revenues thus earned will be disbursed equitably among all the communities involved and for creation of infrastructures at notified eco-tourism zones, the Government will allocate an amount of Rs 50 crore for 2024-25.

This was informed by Sangma while placing the Meghalaya State Budget on Wednesday.

Sangma said a new scheme for development of infrastructure at all Tourism spots will be launched and the communities managing tourist sites will be provided grants of up to Rs 25 lakh for infrastructure development and management of sites.

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Stating that air Connectivity to the State is essential for growth of Tourism, the Chief Minister said that they have been successful in establishing direct flight connectivity from markets such as Delhi and Kolkata while further adding that they are aiming to establish direct flight connectivity from Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai through providing viability gap funding to airlines.

The Chief Minister said that the tourism sector has steadily revived from the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic as the current annual tourist footfall is 13.81 lakh, which is 1.1 lakh more than the pre-pandemic levels.

Sangma informed that the construction of the iconic projects like the Shillong Peak Ropeway and Mawkdok Skywalk will be started in the next financial year. The construction of the State of art Tura convention centre and the accommodation complex at Thadlaskein in West Jaitia Hills, is progressing well.

With growing numbers of tourists, nearly 3,000 new high-value rooms are required, translating into a requirement of several five-star hotels and other premium properties, the Chief Minister said it is expected that these new hotels will be built at Shillong, New Shillong, Umiam, Sohra and Tura with private sector investment of approximately Rs 1,000 crore. He also said additionally, projects such as convention centres aimed at promoting wedding tourism, MICE tourism and a new golf course are under planning stage while adding land bank of nearly 400 acres has been earmarked for developing such infrastructure.

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Assuring that the State’s resources will be invested in building accommodation and tourism amenities in the less developed circuits, Sangma said an investment of Rs 200 crore for new circuits with bases at Umling in Ri Bhoi, Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills, Doldegre in West Garo Hills, Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Syntung in East Khasi Hills, Mairang in Eastern West Khasi Hills, Resubelpara in North Garo Hills, Wari Chora in South Garo Hills, Umden in Ri Bhoi, Nongstoin and Mawphanlur in West Khasi Hills.

He also said that an additional amount of Rs 150 crore of new investment will be made in unique tourism projects such as the Meghalayan Age experiential Centre at Mawmluh in East Khasi Hills, Development of Tribal heritage centre in Mandalgre in East Garo Hills, Geology-museum at Nongnah in South West Khasi Hills and Riverfront development of Umngot at Shnongpdeng, Darrang and Dawki, in West Jaintia Hills.

Sangma said that the home stay scheme, providing up to 70% subsidy for building new homestays costing about Rs 10 lakh, is a resounding success whil about 550 projects have been sanctioned in the last two years and the Government target to build another 2,000 homestays by 2028. He also said “I am allocating an amount of Rs 5 crore for the Meghalaya Homestay Scheme for 2024-25. Construction of Tourism Villas is also being subsidized at 35% under the CM-ELEVATE program.”