By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 13: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a proposal to transform unused land owned by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) into sites for tourism development. A total of 273.41 acres will be leased to the Tourism Department under a lease and revenue-sharing arrangement.
Speaking to the media persons Following the Cabinet meeting here, Cabinet Minister and MDA spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said, “Coming to formal items, the Cabinet today took up five important matters, and I would brief you on two major ones. These are, first, the repurposing of MeECL land as I had mentioned in my earlier briefings and the move to further enhance and upscale the tourism sector, with the support of line departments.”
He elaborated that the state government is seeking to make productive use of land held by the Power department and its subsidiaries.
“So today, I’m happy to share with you that, in order to monetise the unutilised land of MeECL and its subsidiaries for development of tourism projects on a lease and revenue-sharing mode, the Cabinet today cleared the proposal whereby the Power department, through the MeECL, has decided to part with 273.41 acres of land and lease them to the Department of Tourism,” he said.
The earmarked land spans several key locations. “The areas include the existing IB campus, the land from (junction) all along the (Shad Sngi) up to Nongsder village, the police station and all, the land behind the MeECL school, land behind HRDC up to NESAC, Block 5 area, and the Lumpongdeng Island—totalling 273.41 acres,” Lyngdoh shared.
He further added that the land transfer would follow existing government policy. “This transfer of land from the Power Department to the Tourism Department will be as per government policy, which is first on a 60-year lease period, extendible by 30 years,” he clarified.
Lyngdoh also informed that the land would be utilised for various tourism projects, the details of which will be disclosed in due course. “And this will then be used for development of various tourism projects, which I would be briefing you from time to time,” he said.
