Shillong: Ten new tourism projects from the North Eastern Council (NEC) have been earmarked for diverse tourism initiatives in Meghalaya. The state has received funding of Rs 750 crore from the New Development Bank (NDB).

The state government has already set the wheels in motion for several projects, said Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh. "While some are undergoing scrutiny at the NEC, others are in the nascent stages of awaiting comprehensive Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)," he said. Lyngdoh also revealed that the state government is actively pursuing financial backing from both the National Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to bolster various tourism and developmental projects.

In a groundbreaking development, the Meghalaya Eco-Tourism and Infrastructure Development Project (MEIDP) has also secured an approximate funding of Rs 750 crore from the NDB.

The government is poised to expedite projects that have received pre-sanction approval, with a particular emphasis on securing financial support from agencies like the Economic Assistance Programme (EAP), informed the minister. He added that the government is "quite hopeful" about the robust support received under the Sustainable Tourism and Livelihood Program, especially from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and NDB for the Meghalaya eco-tourism and infrastructure developmental project with which the state has inked agreements.

The government is also gearing up to release tenders by the last week of January 2024 for the state's pending ropeway project, according to Lyngdoh. The foundation stone for the first-of-a-kind ropeway in northeastern Meghalaya was laid by President Droupadi Murmu during her recent visit to the state.

The ropeway project is envisaged to be completed within 18 to 24 months, "considering the weather conditions," said Lyngdoh. Set to commence in March 2024, the project is poised to "reshape the landscape, offering tourists a panoramic view and locals a means of efficient transportation," added the minister.

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