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Meghalaya Government Launches Land Bank for Tourism Infrastructure DevelopmentThe Meghalaya government is establishing a land bank to facilitate the development of tourism infrastructure across the state. Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced that the initiative will focus on areas where accommodation facilities are currently lacking, ensuring that tourism growth is inclusive and sustainable.
The government has issued a call for expressions of interest (EOI), inviting landowners and communities to partner with the state in developing land for tourism accommodation projects. The deadline for submitting offers is mid-January.
Lyngdoh emphasized that the land bank would be pivotal for expanding accommodation facilities in underserved areas such as Dawki. “In Garo Hills, we are promoting adventure and wildlife tourism, which will attract visitors to regions that have been underdeveloped. The entire state will benefit from this initiative, and it is expected to generate an additional one lakh jobs in the next two to three years,” the Minister stated.
The tourism minister further explained that the land bank would allow individuals and groups to collaborate with the government through joint venture agreements. As an example, he pointed to Dawki, where tourism has seen rapid growth, but accommodation remains insufficient. “We are seeking offers from the community and landowners to part with their land and partner with the government. The EOI process is already underway, and we have set a deadline for submissions in mid-January,” he added.