In a bid to improve the tourism sector, the Meghalaya government is considering proposals to subsidise SUVs, electric vehicles and buses.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said this on the occasion of the distribution of 16 subsidised Toyota Innovas to tour operators meant for high-value tourism.
“What we’re doing today is not just a distribution of vehicles,” Sangma said, adding, “It’s part of a very well-thought out programme and vision that we have.”
The idea of subsidising the cost of high-end vehicles was taken after studying the tourist footfall and the government felt that it could create more opportunities for growth by providing good transportation.
The government plans to give out 50 cars in this financial year and, if all goes well and if it is able to create the finance they require, this could reach 250-300 vehicles by 2028.
“While we do that, we hope to tweak the kind of vehicles we have. We realised it is not just Innovas that you need. Scorpios are tougher and can go off-road. We’re also looking at mini-buses and electric vehicles,” the CM said.
Providing the vehicles is one thing but he also opined that human resources are also important. The behaviour of the driver is the biggest impact for a tourist since that is the first person they are in contact with. “If the driver is being courteous, the tourists are going to remember that. We should examine and try to improve the experience of what a tourist really wants and based on that allow the training of drivers to be done.”
The tourism industry in Meghalaya plays a vital role in providing livelihood opportunities for nearly 50,000 people and contributes approximately 4.1 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), a press release stated today.
Others present during the launch were Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and senior civil servants.
“As we inaugurate the PRIME Tourism Vehicles scheme, we embark on a transformative journey to position Meghalaya as a premier tourist destination,” Lyngdoh was quoted as saying. “With a focus on enhancing visitor experiences, providing top-notch services, and promoting sustainability, this initiative underscores our commitment to unlocking the true potential of our state’s tourism sector. Through the PRIME Tourism Vehicles scheme, we are not only creating livelihood opportunities but also paving the way for a prosperous future for our tourism industry and the people of Meghalaya.”
Through the scheme, the government has provided 50 per cent financial aid on on-road cost of the vehicle at an approximate investment of Rs 6 crore. This financial aid includes 90 per cent down payment support, which has ensured that the beneficiary can get a luxury vehicle just with an initial payment of Rs 1 lakh as down payment. Additionally, 20 per cent EMI support is also provided to alleviate operational cost.
Over 600 applicants applied for the programme. In the first phase, 47 beneficiaries were selected through a rigorous assessment process, ensuring their communication skills, knowledge of the tourism sector, and understanding of basic road safety rules as drivers. The Tourism Department conducted training sessions and assessments for all drivers to ensure their competence and prioritize passenger and driver safety. Prioritising safety of the passengers and the drivers of the vehicles, the government has installed GPS devices on all the vehicles to locate any vehicle if any emergency is reported.
