Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today laid the foundation stone of the Mawlyndep Hospitality Complex, at Mawlyndep village in Ri-Bhoi district.
The Rs 29 crore project is sanctioned under the New Development Bank, which is part of the BRIC Nations initiative. It spreads over an area of approximately 10 acres.
Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister reiterated said that the state was not under debt trap due to huge loans taken from various sources especially from foreign banks. “The government of Meghalaya has been taking funds from international institutions but is coming through the government of India which has been subsidised at a rate of 72 per cent,” he said.
He also stated that Meghalaya is the highest beneficiary of externally aided projects amounting to almost 7500 crore from the centre.
Further, the Chief Minister said that approximately 4000 crore will be invested in the tourism sector in the next four years creating an estimated 50,000 jobs.
“Further, announcement of an additional 120 crore was sanctioned yesterday by the Prime Minister for development in East Khasi Hills and other parts of the state,” he said.
He also spoke of the huge potential that the state would benefit from the release of the Northeast Industrial Policy.
On completing the project at Mawlyndep the Chief Minister said, “Work order has already been given to the contractors and expecting it to be finished in 24 months and is scheduled to be inaugurated in the year 2026.”
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that tourism is a viable and sustainable means of livelihood and a revenue generation opportunity which has stood the test of time. As an example he cited Sohra which has immensely benefitted from tourism as in contrast to MCCL which is on the brink of closure.
Rajya Sabha MP WR Kharlukhi in his speech said that the adoption of Mawlyndep on the concept village of model village is not just about development but inclusiveness of community cooperation, participation and also in terms of a broader mindset to be able to harness a healthy tourism ecosystem here at the village.
