Shillong , April,16 :Concerns are growing over the proposed luxury resort project at Umiam, as North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum has come out strongly against it, raising questions about both its environmental impact and the people behind it.
Standing in support of H. Bansiewdor Nonglang, who is currently on an indefinite hunger strike at Malki Ground, Nongrum said the issue is not just about development, but about trust and responsibility.“
This is not just another project. It raises serious concerns about safety, accountability and the future of our land,” Nongrum said.
The MLA alleged that some of the individuals linked to Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd. have connections to Badri Rai and Company — a firm previously associated with construction failures in the state, including the Assembly building dome collapse in 2022 and the boundary wall incident at PA Sangma Stadium in Tura last year.
Referring to information obtained through RTI by the Green-Tech Foundation, Nongrum said there is a need for greater transparency before moving ahead with such a large-scale project.
“We cannot ignore past incidents. People deserve to know who is behind this project,” he added.
He also raised concerns about the long-term lease of Lumpongdeng Island to the Indian Hotels Company Limited, questioning whether financial gains should come at the cost of land and environment.
The question is — are we trading our land for numbers on paper? he said. While the project promises significant revenue over the years, Nongrum pointed out that large areas of land — estimated between 63 to 66 acres — are being allocated, which he believes could have lasting consequences.
“Once this land is gone, we cannot bring it back. We must think about future generations, development should not come at the cost of our identity, our environment, and our people,” Nongrum said.
Calling for the project to be scrapped, the MLA urged both the government and the public to reflect on what is truly at stake.