Shillong, Apr 14: The state government is adamant that the luxury tourism project on Umiam Lake, including Lumpongdeng Island, will go ahead despite criticism from several quarters.
Green-Tech Foundation (GTF) has been protesting a planned development that will see a five-star resort built by Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), which owns the Taj brand of hotels, among others, on Lumpongdeng and the existing Orchid Lake Resort on the shore of the lake. Several pressure groups and opposition political parties have jumped on the bandwagon in support of GTF.
Today Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong insisted that the government will press ahead with the project but again reiterated that there will be no permanent structure on the island, something which GTF disputes.
Tynsong said that the government’s door is always open for talks with any aggrieved individuals over the resort project.
The Deputy CM also said that this project will generate employment for the youths of the state even as he slammed the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for claiming that the resort’s spa will later turn into a place for illegal activities, i.e. prostitution.
When asked whether this opposition is politically motivated, Tynsong said the people will make their own judgement.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has also reiterated that the resort will be built on the existing property of the Orchid Lake Resort and not Lumpongdeng Island, which will only be used for special events with only temporary structures set up. He assured that the natural ecosystem of the island will continue to be maintained.
