Guwahati: Meghalaya Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira on Wednesday, August 26, said the state’s tourism industry suffered losses of nearly 100 per cent during the recent dispute with Assam, as tourist arrivals dropped sharply and restrictions on vehicle movement affected tourism-dependent businesses.
Speaking on the second day of the Meghalaya Assembly session, Shira said the tensions and road blockades had severely affected hotels, homestays, and other businesses that rely heavily on tourists.
The Minister said tourist footfall declined considerably during the dispute, while restrictions on the movement of vehicles further disrupted tourism-related activities across the state.
According to Shira, the situation has since been resolved following discussions between the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya. He said there was no longer any justification for road blockades or restrictions on the movement of vehicles between the two neighbouring states.
Shira also announced that the Meghalaya government would provide compensation to owners of Assam-registered vehicles that were damaged during the dispute.
He stressed the importance of restoring unrestricted movement between Assam and Meghalaya, saying taxi operators and other vehicle owners from Assam should be able to travel to Meghalaya as they did previously. Similarly, Meghalaya-registered vehicles should be allowed to move freely through Assam.
The Tourism Minister cautioned that any fresh blockade or shutdown could worsen tensions despite the issue having been resolved through discussions between the leadership of the two states.
He appealed to people on both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, urging them to consider the long-term consequences of actions that could affect relations and livelihoods.
Shira said the government’s immediate priorities were to restore normal movement, rebuild confidence among tourists and ensure that vehicles can travel without disruption between Assam and Meghalaya.