Guwahati: Visitors travelling to Meghalaya may soon have to complete a compulsory verification process before entering the state, with the government planning to introduce a tourist registration mechanism aimed at improving security and monitoring the movement of travellers.
Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira said the proposed system will require tourists to check in at designated registration centres, where officials will verify their identity, supporting documents and the purpose of their visit.
The first centre is coming up at Umling in Ri-Bhoi district, and the government plans to establish similar facilities in other parts of Meghalaya, including the Garo Hills region.
Although Meghalaya does not enforce the Inner Line Permit (ILP), Shira said the proposed verification process has been modelled on the system followed in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur.
Officials said the initiative will enable the government to maintain a complete database of visitors, keep closer watch on entry into the state and strengthen efforts to detect illegal infiltration.
Documents carried by visitors, including foreign nationals, will be scrutinised to confirm their identity and verify that they hold valid travel documents.
The registration centres are also being planned as visitor assistance facilities rather than only verification points.
Besides dedicated space for officials to carry out registration formalities, the centres will provide basic amenities such as restaurants and other services for travellers.
Officials said the new arrangement will help authorities monitor the movement of visitors more effectively, strengthen security checks and maintain live records of tourist arrivals across the state.