Nongpoh: Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the model traditional market which will be constructed at Lumdaitkhla village in Bhoirymbong which is under Umroi Constituency in Ri Bhoi.
It may be noted that the model traditional market, which aims to improve the produce put out by local farmers and to escalate the local economy through tourism, is being funded under the Ministry of Tribal affairs at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.
This market is the first of its kind and will benefit the local people of Umroi near the airport who sell their agricultural products and may even attract tourists which in turn would be a major boost to the local economy.
Local MLA George B Lyngdoh, Mawhati MLA Dasakhiatbha Lamare and other officers from various line departments in Ri Bhoi were also present during the programme which was presided over by the Block Development officer of Umsning C&RD Block, Raja Brahma.
Besides officers from the line department, the laying of the foundation stone was also attended by the local headmen of Bhoirymbong and the people of Umroi.
In his address to the gathering, Hek said that the upcoming model traditional market will hopefully boost the local economy and attract more tourists if it is set up in a systematic manner.
He also encouraged the market committee of Bhoirymbong to concentrate on organic agricultural products and to design the structure of the market.
He further said that the market committee and village authorities must work together when it comes to the management of the market.
“If the market can be converted into one of the model traditional markets, there is no doubt that this will create employment opportunities as well as promote the local economy with the flow of tourists due to the simple fact that the market is very close to Umroi Airport,” he said.
