Latest news with #PaulLyngdoh
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Meghalaya to set up ‘rain museum' at Mawsynram
Shillong: Meghalaya is set to bolster its tourism offerings with the development of a 'rain museum' at Mawsynram, one of the wettest places on Earth. Additionally, an experiential resort showcasing the "Meghalayan Age"—the current geological age of the Earth—is planned for Mawmluh, tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on recently. Lyngdoh said both the projects had already received sanctions, while tenders have been awarded. The estimated cost for the rain museum is Rs 35 crore. "Work on the rain museum is expected to begin post-monsoon, with tenders already floated," Lyngdoh said. The minister underscored that these initiatives demonstrate the govt's commitment to converting Meghalaya's natural beauty into tangible experiences, moving beyond theoretical discussions.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shillong Cherry Blossom fest wins 2 golds
Shillong: Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 has earned two prestigious gold awards at the WOW Awards Asia 2025, winning in the categories of 'Special Event of the Year – Govt/Organisation' and 'Festival of the Year'. The announcement was made by Meghalaya tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh during a press briefing on Friday. "These awards recognise excellence in experiential marketing, live events, and entertainment across Asia. It marks a significant milestone for Meghalaya," a statement noted.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Second Assam-Meghalaya border pact likely before Aug 15: Paul Lyngdoh
Shillong, In a significant step toward resolving the long-standing border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, MDA government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh on Friday said a second MoU is expected to be signed between the two states before August 15. Second Assam-Meghalaya border pact likely before Aug 15: Paul Lyngdoh This comes after the first pact signed in 2022, which resolved issues in six out of 12 areas of contention along the interstate boundary. Lyngdoh, who is also a cabinet minister in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance , told PTI, "The proposed agreement is expected to bring five new villages along the disputed block in Ri-Bhoi district under Meghalaya's jurisdiction." He said, "This is a significant step forward in resolving the border dispute. The inclusion of these villages is a result of sustained engagement and negotiation with the Assam government." The announcement comes amidst skirmishes along the interstate border in West Jaintia Hills district earlier this week in which the villagers of Lapangap razed tree plantations initiated by Assam's Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council allegedly in violation of a status quo order. Following the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had said that the state government decided to post a police team at the village to maintain peace. According to Lyngdoh, the two state governments have also made notable progress in border negotiations in other disputed sectors. "In the Langpih area, a final solution is at arm's length but for a joint inspection to be conducted by the border committees. We are awaiting confirmation from our Assam counterpart headed by Mr. Patowari," he said. On the disputed Jaintia Hills sector, the minister said a resolution was also within reach. Emphasizing that the MDA government is taking concrete action to end the border impasse, Lyngdoh said, "This government is committed to protecting Meghalaya's territorial interests and ensuring that our boundaries are respected." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
18-06-2025
- NDTV
Exit-Entry Monitoring, Private Vehicles Ban: Meghalaya's Safe Tourism Push
In the wake of the Meghalaya honeymoon murder, the state government has doubled down on its commitment to ensure safe tourism with a multi-pronged action plan aimed at both enhancing visitor experience and eliminating criminal activities linked to the sector. State tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh, while outlining the government's action roadmap, said that all accommodation units across the state - lodges, resorts, homestays or paying guest facilities-must now mandatorily register every traveller through the government's tourism app. "The app already contains all data of every traveller in Meghalaya. Now these travellers will stay at either resort or homestays and all of the properties have been instructed to register them compulsorily. The data is also being shared with the local police station," he said. He further added, "If anyone doesn't register and there is a breach of the law, the onus falls on the owner of that accommodation unit." The minister confirmed that the government's broader strategy will also include entry-exit monitoring, mandatory digital tracking, and a ban on private vehicles ferrying tourists to plug security loopholes. The Transport Department has issued a formal notification prohibiting the rental of private two-wheelers and four-wheelers for tourism purposes. The state cabinet is also set to revisit and strengthen the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to give it "more teeth." "The decision to revisit the MRSSA and give it more teeth will also help to a large extent for us to be able to control crime," Lyngdoh remarked. In a major expansion of mobility services for regulated tourism, Mr Lyngdoh announced that the state will induct 50 new prime tourism vehicles by July. "We will introduce a new fresh fleet of this prime vehicles. We will follow the due process of inviting interested entrepreneurs to access this scheme," he informed. Addressing concerns over a temporary decline in tourist footfall, the minister stressed that no single event can be blamed in isolation. "In any sector, especially a sector as fragile as tourism, there are always ups and downs, but if there's any decline in footfalls, it would not be only because of this one single incident. You have to consider the traffic situation in the city, you have to consider the flash floods and waterlogging at Jorabat. All of these also hinder movement of tourists," Mr Lyngdoh said. He assured that efforts are underway to resolve these hurdles. "When it comes to the waterlogging at Khanapara and Jorabat, we have just had a discussion at the level of the Chief Ministers of both Assam and Meghalaya." Mr Lyngdoh said the swift breakthrough in the high-profile murder case involving Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi is a testament to Meghalaya Police's efficiency. "The state police has already made a name for itself by cracking this criminal case of Sonam in record time of seven days. That spectacular performance of the Meghalaya police itself has put the fear to visitors to not play around while travelling to Meghalaya. You can come here as tourists-we will welcome you, but if you create any issues and indulge yourself in criminal activities, the state police is there to immediately jump upon you." Mr Lyngdoh expressed optimism about the sector's revival, with events like the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 presenting an opportunity of a major rebound in tourist arrivals. "After this case was solved by the state police, there is a tendency for the sector to again recover and hopefully with our announcement of future events, we expect that there will be an upsurge of visitors again," he said.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
Raja Raghuvanshi murder: Meghalaya makes tourist registration mandatory at all homestays
Following the sensational murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, the Meghalaya government has directed all homestays, resorts and families to mandatorily record details of tourists that stay there. A senior official of the Meghalaya Tourism Department said that the state government has directed all the homestays, resorts and even landlords to compulsorily register all their visitors and take their necessary details."The government would ensure that all homestays and accommodation units now obligatorily register tourists, visitors and guests through the tourism app.' The Meghalaya government on June 13 decided to strengthen existing laws to ensure the safety of state residents and curb the entry of criminal elements posing as tourists. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stunning 2-Bed Senior Houses: Take A Peek Inside! Senior Houses | Search Ads Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had said that the council of ministers in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on June 13 decided to review the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, an existing state legislation, to add tougher provisions to the Act to minimise the possibility of criminal elements entering Meghalaya as tourists. The government's move comes weeks after the ghastly murder of Raja Raghuvanshi (28), who was brutally killed during his honeymoon while on a trip to Sohra-Cherrapunji areas of the East Khasi Hills district, in a plot allegedly orchestrated by his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi (24) and her alleged lover Raj Singh Kushwaha (21). Live Events Pressure groups in Meghalaya had intensified demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to keep tabs of people entering the state. Members of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) had staged a protest outside the Main Secretariat recently seeking implementation of ILP recently. CoMSO leader Donboklang Kharlyngdoh had said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in 2019 urging the Centre to implement the ILP, yet no response has been received even after nearly six years. The organisations stated, 'If ILP were in place, individuals with dubious intentions would think twice before entering Meghalaya. They would have to register their name, address, duration of stay, and departure plans. The main accused, Sonam, had entered the state with her husband and exited the state alone'.
