Aizawl, Oct 14 (IANS) Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday said that the state government, in collaboration with the Central government, was undertaking tourism infrastructure projects worth Rs 681.16 crore at various locations to attract more visitors and promote the state’s tourism potential.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Union Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NITI Aayog for their financial support in developing tourism infrastructure in the state. He also said that projects worth Rs 11.10 crore were in the pipeline under the state’s flagship Bana Kaih (Handholding) scheme.
Lalduhoma made these remarks while attending the second day of the Mizoram Tourism Conclave 2026 at the Assembly Annexe Conference Hall in Aizawl. The theme of the conclave is “Investing in Mizoram CAN (Culture, Adventure and Nature) for Sustainable Development”.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the extension of railway services to Sairang, near the state capital Aizawl, had improved Mizoram’s accessibility and contributed to an increase in tourist arrivals. He said around six lakh tourists had visited the state up to September this year, adding that the number was expected to rise further.
However, the existing accommodation facilities were struggling to meet the growing demand, making tourism a promising sector for investment, he said.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to developing tourism in rural areas, Lalduhoma highlighted its focus on community-based tourism to ensure that local communities benefited from the growing sector.
He said the construction of 199 new homestays, supported through the Bana Kaih scheme, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), had recently been launched.
The Chief Minister identified culture, adventure and nature as three key strengths that could help attract more tourists to Mizoram and create fresh investment opportunities.
Highlighting the importance of culture, he said the richness of Mizo traditions and the local way of life, along with peaceful communities and cleanliness, were valuable assets that could make the state an attractive tourism destination.
On adventure tourism, Lalduhoma said activities such as paragliding competitions, half-marathons and cycling events could draw more visitors while promoting Mizoram as a destination for adventure enthusiasts.
He also highlighted the state’s natural attractions, including its scenic landscapes, hills, valleys, rivers and wildlife sanctuaries, which offer considerable potential for tourism development. Inviting participants to explore investment opportunities based on these strengths, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to all those attending the conclave and called for efforts to harness Mizoram’s tourism potential for sustainable development.
Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar also addressed the gathering, highlighting the progress made by Mizoram in tourism development and the sector’s considerable potential to attract investments.
He underscored the opportunities available to investors in developing tourism-related infrastructure and services as the state seeks to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
–IANS
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