The Power Department through the MeECL has decided to lease out 273.41 acres of unutilised land for development of tourism projects around Umiam.
Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh told reports after the cabinet meeting on Thursday that the areas include the existing IB campus, the land from Lake junction, all along Rishatsngi up to Nongsder village, a police station and land behind the MeECL school, HRDC up to NESAC, Block 5 area, and the Lum Pongdeng Island.
“This transfer of land from the power department to the tourism department will be as per government policy, which is first on a 60 years lease period, extendible by 30 years,” Lyngdoh said.
He said the department will pay an amount of one rupee per acre, but the share of the power department will be 90 per cent.
The government plans to bring in 5 star hotels and also the introduction of Lake Cruise services within the next one year. “We will also be looking at more accommodation facilities, which are of three to four star categories. So we will draw a map whereby we will optimally use this huge tract of land,” said Lyngdoh.