SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) North Khasi Hills Unit has demanded an immediate halt to the Tourism Department’s plan to construct a Food Court at the existing Felicitation Center site in Umling, Ri Bhoi district.
This demand follows a recent official meeting convened by the Tourism Department, attended by KSU leaders, officials from the Ri Bhoi District Administration, Police Department, and Transport Department. During the meeting, the student union expressed surprise and raised serious concerns over the government’s sudden change in the use of this strategically important location.
KSU North Khasi Hills Unit President Ferdinand Kharkhamni recounted the site’s history, noting that the Felicitation Center was originally inaugurated as an Entry Point on December 21, 2020.
However, within three months, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the Health Department took over the facility for pandemic management. After two years, the property was returned to the District Administration. The KSU stated that they initially welcomed the infrastructure, hoping it would be used for its intended purpose. They were taken aback by the Tourism Department’s recent proposal to build a Food Court or Food Booth instead, questioning why the original plan was abandoned and what obstacles prevented the reinstatement of the Felicitation Center.
The union pointed out that from 2023 to 2025, the facility remained completely abandoned and non-functional.
Addressing rumors of ongoing legal disputes, Kharkhamni clarified that the court case in question was not filed against the Felicitation Center itself. The KSU urged the government to establish a proper Tourism Information Center, given that the building is already constructed.
Additionally, the union criticized the current Infiltration Center operating at Byrnihat, calling it illegal and disruptive, as it forces vehicles to stop on the highway, causing severe traffic congestion. The KSU insisted that a dedicated, separate lane must be created to resolve this ongoing traffic issue.
During the meeting, government officials assured the KSU that all suggestions would be thoroughly reviewed. They clarified that the proposed project is not a mere “Food Booth” as rumored, and promised to share the Detailed Project Report (DPR) with the union.
The KSU leadership also announced plans to meet with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to seek clarification regarding the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) at the Umling site.
For now, the KSU has enforced a temporary stoppage of all Tourism Department activities at the site. The union declared its intention to conduct its own inspection to verify whether the government genuinely plans to integrate essential facilities, including the Infiltration Center, the Labor Department’s Registration Desk, and the Tourism Department’s cafeteria, ensuring the project truly serves the interests of the region and the state.
