SHILLONG, FEB 10: Tourism Minister, Timothy D Shira, is pushing ahead with plans to boost the state’s tourism sector. Tomorrow, a ceremony will mark the handover of land in Tura, formerly Polo Orchid, to an international hotel group for a Rs 40 crore, 5-star hotel project.
Speaking on the development, Shira said, “The government is trying to do more development to develop tourism in the entire state of Meghalaya.”
The project, a public-private partnership, will cover 1-2 acres of land and is expected to be a game-changer for Tura’s tourism scene.
Improved connectivity is also on the cards, with the upcoming Baljek airport set to reduce the distance from the airport to Tura to just 30 kilometers, making it more accessible to tourists. Currently, Guwahati is the nearest airport.
Other projects in the pipeline include a Rs 23 crore tourist lodge in Siju, a Rs 23 crore convention center in Resubelpara. Mondalgre will also get a boost with a Rs 23 crore development plan.
Shira stressed the importance of community involvement in tourism development, pointing to efforts in Nokrek Biosphere where locals are working together to keep their area clean.
“Community is now taking interest to manage it,” he said, adding that measures are being taken to prevent open defecation and littering, including the provision of toilets.
By Our Reporter
