Shillong, Oct 18: The expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi would be game changer for the state’s tourism sector and over 3,000 youth are likely to be accommodated in the transport sector itself, according to tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh.
After expansion of the airport, dependence on road communication will be reduced and with expansion of tourism sector activities, it will be in a position to provide employment to not less than 3000 youth in the transport sector, he said.
Informing that around 50 youth would be engaged for guiding and providing information on Meghalaya, he said initially tourist bodies would be formed at Sohra, Umiam and Shillong.
Meanwhile, Tourism department has taken several initiatives including acquiring land to develop Umiam as a major tourist hub.
The department is in the process to get around 300 acre from MeECL and Lum Nehru Park from Forest department.
“The entire area in and around Umiam will be a major tourist hub once these activities are completed,” he said.
Meanwhile, he informed that a committee looking into the demand for ban on outside tourist cabs plying to various destinations would hold a meeting on Friday.
“In a competitive world people have choices… in an open economy that on any given day, we are short of 3,500 vehicles ferrying people to Meghalaya,” he said.
On environmental concern, he allayed the apprehension saying the government has to abide by strict environmental norms in every aspect due to monitoring by Central authorities as well as the court.
