Rs 18k crore for natl highways to boost tourism

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said about Rs 18,000 crore has also been allocated for the development of national highways in the state that will help in promoting tourism “as road connectivity is the foundation of all forms of development”.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Sangma said Rs 253 crore has been allocated to North Garo Hills for all-round development.
Processing units for banana, pineapple and oranges have also been given priority and Kharkutta has been allocated about Rs 2 crore for the same. “There are also a number of schemes and projects namely jackfruit mission, aqua mission, ginger mission and others to help promote farmers in the state,” Sangma said during his visit to Rongma Gitil Eco-Tourism destination in Kharkutta on Saturday.
He informed that Rs 300 crore was sanctioned by the Government of India for promotion and development of tourism destination in Meghalaya of which Rs 100 crore will be exclusively used to develop select destinations in Garo Hills.
“Tourism will boost the image of the state as well as provide work for the local populace. We have to integrate tourism activities with a view to provide employment and development of entrepreneurship,” he added.
“The sector cannot develop without proper communication in terms of road connectivity and that in order to develop such connectivity, under PMGSY the budget has gone up from the previous Rs 150 crore to Rs 500 crore,” he said.