Ampati, March 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi remotely inaugurated the Katta Beel Tourist Facilitation Centre at Nogorpara village, South West Garo Hills, through video conferencing from Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar on Thursday.
The inaugural programme, organized by the District Administration and the Tourism Department, featured a pre-inaugural ceremony at the DRDA Conference Hall, Ampati.
During the virtual ceremony, the Prime Minister unveiled and dedicated to the nation a total of 53 projects, including 9 projects and 43 launches from the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes.
Notably, 42 destinations were revealed under the Challenged Based Destination Development Scheme, alongside the introduction of the Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourists Destination Poll and the Chalo India Diaspora Campaign.
Prior to the virtual inauguration, a pre-inaugural program at the DRDA Conference Hall, Ampati was attended by dignitaries including Rangsakona MLA Subir Marak, MDCs of Nogorpara and Boldamgre Linekar Sangma and Stevie Marak, Soradini Sangma (mother of Meghalaya’s Chief Minister), Under Secretary to the Union Ministry of Tourism, Manju Mann, Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar, and various Principals and Heads of Institutions, District Heads, and NGO representatives and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Subir Marak expressed gratitude for the development and urged continued support for sustainable tourism. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for their efforts and appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to focus on Pelga Falls for future projects.
Deputy Commissioner RP Marak emphasized the positive impact of tourism on local communities, job creation, and economic upliftment. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry for selecting South West Garo Hills for the project, foreseeing its contribution to the region’s inclusive growth.
During the pre-inaugural program, Tourist Officer Ava Shereen Sangma provided an overview of the project.
The digital inauguration aligns with the responsible tourism initiative outlined in the 2014-2015 budget speech, focusing on the development of tourist circuits to promote local arts, culture, handloom, and handicrafts.
The Katta Beel Tourist Facilitation Centre, sanctioned in 2019-2020 for approximately 2.65 Crores, features 5 rooms with attached baths on the first floor and kitchen, cafeteria, and lounge area on the ground floor.
Following the virtual inauguration, a ceremony was held at the Tourist Facilitation Centre in Nogorpara, where Soradini Sangma unveiled the plaque in the presence of MDCs Linekar Sangma and Stevie Marak, officials, department heads, and local residents of Nogorpara village, which is the ancestral village of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and MP of Tura, Agatha Sangma.
The event marks a significant step towards boosting tourism in South West Garo Hills and reinforces the commitment to responsible tourism initiatives.