Shillong: Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira promised that the revamped Umling Facilitation Centre in Ri-Bhoi district will not harass visitors. The facility is set to open by November. Shira pushed back against fears that tourists might lose an hour to registration lines, a headache common during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government plans to add food stalls to the site. Travelers can grab a bite while staff handle the paperwork. Shira clarified the purpose of the site, stating, "The Umling Facilitation Centre is not intended to harass tourists but to facilitate and guide tourists."
State officials also confirmed that mandatory local guides will be required for visitors moving forward. This policy stems from the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case in Sohra. Authorities hope these guides act as protectors for travelers. After talks with the Khasi Students Union, the government set a firm deadline for the Umling and Ratacherra centres to open by early December under the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act.
Work at Umling previously stalled because of objections from local pressure groups. Shira noted that the project would be finished already if not for those delays. The infrastructure work will resume now. The facility originally served as a pandemic screening point before the High Court of Meghalaya ordered it to close.
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