SHILLONG, OCT 12: In a bid to resolve the long-pending tourist transport issues, the state government will develop a full-fledged parking lot at Umtyngar with food court, cafe and toilets to act as a central pick-up and drop hub for tourist taxis.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar after a high-level meeting with stakeholders on Monday.

Dhar said the meeting, convened by the Transport Department, was attended by tourist taxi associations, hoteliers, homestay owners, tour guides, and officials from the Tourism Department, besides the Deputy Commissioner and SP of East Khasi Hills.

Terming the deliberations as “very fruitful and positive”, Dhar said the government has cleared the proposal for the Umtyngar facility.

“We have decided we will put a very good parking lot with full civic amenities somewhere around Umtyngar along with a food court, cafe, toilet. It will become like a tourist spot in the form of dropping and picking up points. We have given the okay from the government,” he said.

He said the model will be replicated in other locations later. A key outcome of the meeting was the formation of a first-ever joint coordination committee comprising representatives of tourist taxi associations, hotels, homestays and tour guides.

“I requested them if it is possible to use our local taxis to help them get good trips in the days to come. They have formed a committee which will work out in such a manner that maximum possibility, even from the hotels, they will use our local taxis,” Dhar said.

“Our objective is that nobody should be harmed and tourism in Meghalaya should be promoted,” he added.

Dhar admitted tourist footfall had dipped in the last few days but said arrivals are picking up and Monday’s meeting will further boost confidence.

He said the proposed land at Umtyngar is community land to be provided free of cost, while development will be funded by the Transport Department.

On the Assam-Meghalaya taxi row, Dhar said the two states’ associations should sort it out among themselves.On tourist safety, particularly along the Sohra circuit, he said round-the-clock police monitoring and CCTV coverage are being planned.

“Police should monitor 24 hours to ensure safety and ensure there is no disturbance. Homestays should put CCTV cameras and police will ensure patrolling 24 hours,” Dhar added.