The Meghalaya government has handed over land for a Rs 130-crore hotel project in Tura on Wednesday.
The ceremonial handover of land for setting up the proposed Holiday Inn Resort Project by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) was carried out during a programme organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya at Hotel Polo Orchid. The programme was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as chief guest, in the presence of Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira and Minister for PHE, Soil and Water Conservation and Housing, Marcuise N. Marak, along with senior government officials, representatives of IHG, and other stakeholders. In his keynote address, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the occasion as both historic and deeply personal. “I am sure many of us could not have imagined that Tura itself would host a five-star hotel,” he remarked. He shared that the decision to opt for a five-star property instead of a four-star hotel involved detailed deliberations. “Though it may appear to be just a one-star difference, the gap between a four-star and a five-star hotel is significant,” he said, explaining that investment levels, design standards, facilities, and ecosystem requirements differ substantially. With an investment of nearly Rs 130 crore, the project represents a major leap for the region. “When the decision came before me — whether to go for the more immediately viable four-star option or take the leap to a five-star hotel — I had no doubt in my mind,” he stated.
“If I have this one opportunity to make that decision, it will be a five-star hotel, come what may.” Responding to critics who question the need for premium hospitality infrastructure, he said development must be holistic. “We need roads. We need hospitals. We need schools. We need drinking water. And yes—we need hotels.” Placing the project within the State’s broader economic vision, he recalled the launch of Mission 10 in 2019 to transform Meghalaya into a 10-billion-dollar economy. “When we took over, our economy was less than 4 billion dollars. Today, we are approaching 7 billion dollars. Very soon, we will reach 10 billion dollars,” he said. He explained that the strategy is anchored in “10 Opportunities and 10 Commitments,” combining private investment, tourism, arts and culture, sports, urban transformation and the creative economy with commitments to connectivity, piped water, reliable power, internet access, healthcare, nutrition and social welfare.
The State estimates that Rs 8,000 crore in private investment is required to achieve its growth targets, with the Rs 130-crore hotel project forming part of that roadmap. “A five-star hotel is not just about luxury—it is an economic engine,” he said. “It brings conferences. It brings tourists. It brings official meetings and corporate gatherings. People come, people stay, people spend—and when that happens, the local economy benefits.” The Chief Minister also announced that the Government of Meghalaya is coming up with an innovative scheme for the National Games 2027 with the concept of a “Homestay-cum-Games Village.” Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive 70 percent subsidy support to establish homestays in the form of sports hostels conforming to Games guidelines. After the Games, the homestays will belong to the beneficiaries to run and operate.