Meghalaya to develop Umtyngar tourist taxi hub with civic amenities
Meghalaya tourism representative image
Plans are being considered for round-the-clock police monitoring and patrolling, alongside CCTV installations at homestays, to strengthen security and provide visitors with a safer travel experience.
The Meghalaya government plans to develop a dedicated tourist transport hub at Umtyngar, equipped with parking facilities, a food court, café and public toilets, as part of efforts to address long-standing transport challenges affecting the state’s tourism sector.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar announced the proposal following a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the Transport Department. The proposed facility will serve as a central pick-up and drop-off point for tourist taxis, with the government considering similar infrastructure at other locations in the future. According to Dhar, the land at Umtyngar will be provided free of cost by the local community, while the Transport Department will finance the development.
A key outcome of the meeting was the formation of a joint coordination committee, bringing together representatives from the local tourist transport and hospitality sectors. The committee will explore ways to increase the use of local taxis by hotels and other tourism stakeholders, with the aim of improving business opportunities for local operators.
Dhar said the discussions had been constructive, emphasising that the government’s priority was to protect the interests of all stakeholders while supporting the growth of tourism in Meghalaya. He acknowledged a recent dip in tourist arrivals but noted that visitor numbers were beginning to recover.
Addressing the ongoing taxi-related dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, Dhar said the respective taxi associations should work towards resolving the matter through dialogue.
Tourist safety, particularly along the Sohra circuit, was another focus of the discussions. Plans are being considered for round-the-clock police monitoring and patrolling, alongside CCTV installations at homestays, to strengthen security and provide visitors with a safer travel experience.
