‘Over Rs 400 cr earmarked for devp of tourism’

SHILLONG, May 10: The Tourism department has earmarked Rs 415.93 crore for various developmental activities in the tourism circuit.
“Last week, I visited Kongthong village along with local MDC (Titos Chyne) who is also the CEM of KHADC and under the programme called Meghalaya Eco Tourism Infrastructure Development project, 17 projects are at various stages of preparation,” Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said on Wednesday.
He said some of the projects are already in progress while others are in the stage of DPR preparation.
“In case of Kongthong, tenders have been called for the rural hospitality complex. We have earmarked an amount of Rs 7.45 crore for Kongthong,” he informed.
Talking about the other projects in the state, Lyngdoh said, “The Shillong Peak ropeway will take up some time till November this year, then we have the hospitality centre, Tura, under construction, development of hospitality and tourism complex at Mawlendep, Sohra and Chibagre these are under DPR stage”.
He also said that the revamp of the Convention Centre at the Orchid Lake Resort Umiam is in the construction stage and development of tourism at Nongkhnum River Island is in the stage of DPR preparation.
“We should be in a position to call tenders within two to three months,” he added.