Land to be handed over to hotel group today
Shillong, Feb 10: In a new milestone in tourism infrastructure in Garo Hills, the land for a five-star hotel will be formally handed over to an international hotel group in Tura on Wednesday.
Announcing upcoming tourism projects in Garo Hills on Tuesday, Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira said, “The government is trying to do more development to develop tourism in the entire state of Meghalaya.”
The hotel project, valued at Rs 40 crore, will be implemented on 1-2 acres of land in partnership with the private sector.
The land handing over ceremony will be held at what was previously known as Polo Orchid, Tura.
Shira highlighted plans to enhance connectivity, noting that the nearest airport is currently Guwahati, but the upcoming Baljek airport will reduce the distance to Tura to just 30 kilometers.
A Rs 23-crore tourist lodge in Siju and a Rs 23-crore convention center in Resubelpara.
Besides, Mondalgre will be developed at a cost of Rs 23 crore.
Shira emphasized community involvement in tourism development, citing efforts in Nokrek Biosphere where locals are taking steps to manage waste and maintain cleanliness.
“Community is now taking interest to manage it. They have circulated notice that nobody is allowed to throw garbage anywhere and nobody is allowed to defecate openly,” he said, adding that toilets are being provided to support these initiatives.
Baljek Airport not feasible for larger aircraft
The minister, meanwhile, said the state government is awaiting the release of Rs 50 crore sanctioned by the central government for extension of Baljek Airport.
“Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned, but money has not been placed at the disposal of the state government,” Shira said.
However, Shira expressed doubt over the feasibility of expanding the airport to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus, due to limited land availability.
“Smaller aircraft carrying about 60 passengers will be able to land there,” he added.
