SHILLONG | The Meghalaya government is preparing to introduce a mandatory registration and verification mechanism for tourists and other visitors entering the state, a move aimed at strengthening monitoring of inward movement and addressing concerns over illegal entry.

Under the proposed system, all visitors will be required to register and undergo identity verification before entering Meghalaya. Authorities will record details such as identity documents, antecedents and the purpose of visit, creating a comprehensive database of entrants.

The initiative is being designed on the lines of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) framework operational in several northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, where visitor entry is regulated through registration and verification procedures.

Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira said the state government considers the measure necessary in view of the increasing influx of tourists and the need for better tracking of individuals entering Meghalaya.

“We need a proper registration system because many people enter the state in the name of tourism. Their documents must be examined to verify whether they are genuine Indian citizens or foreign nationals carrying valid papers,” Shira said.

According to the minister, the proposed food court and tourism facility at Umling will also function as a key visitor registration and facilitation centre. The location is expected to serve as one of the primary entry verification points for travellers entering the state.

Shira said visitors would be able to complete registration formalities while accessing amenities at the facility.

“Our plan is to develop it as both a facilitation centre and a tourist registration hub. Since the registration process may take some time, visitors can make use of restaurants and other services available there,” he said.

The government also plans to establish similar registration centres in other strategic locations, including Berubari in the Garo Hills region, to ensure uniform implementation of the system across Meghalaya.

Officials said the proposed mechanism would help improve oversight of visitor movement, strengthen security measures and create a structured and transparent process for recording entries into the state. It would also enable authorities to maintain real-time data on tourist arrivals and other visitors.

The move comes amid continuing demands from various organisations in Meghalaya for the implementation of an Inner Line Permit system. While the state does not currently have ILP provisions, the proposed registration framework is seen as an effort to enhance visitor monitoring and border management without introducing a full-fledged permit regime.

The government is expected to finalise operational details of the registration system in the coming months as it works to strengthen regulation of visitor movement and improve security oversight across the state.