Meghalaya to build Rs 70 Cr root bridges & music experience centres

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 17, 2025

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday conducted inspection of the site for construction of the Living Root Bridges Experience Centre at Wahlyngkhat village under Pynursla sub-division in East Khasi Hills District.

The centre is being constructed at a cost of 70 Cr, which comprises of the Living Root Bridges Experience Centre and Wahkhen Residential Music Retreat.

As part of the project, Mawkyrnot, Rangthylliang and Mynrieng villages will be developed and connected as a trekking circuit, and other tourism amenities will be built.

Sangma said that the site was selected as the density of living root bridges were highest at Wahlyngkhat area. 

He also informed that the Wahkhen residential music retreat will allow tourist to immerse in the rich diversity of the Khasi tradition.

“The living root bridges experience centre is going to come up (here at Wahlyngkhat). The reason why we have selected this area is because the living root bridges density is very high, one of the highest in the entire region and the state. Through this centre, the tourists, who come in, will be able to understand the entire culture, history, techniques and different locations where these living root bridges are and it will completely make the experience for the tourist more special. It is a very important project for us,” Sangma said.

He added, “Apart from this, the entire trek out here which will be another experience for the tourists. Along this trek, there is Wahkhen village, which is known for its traditional music, where we will be putting up the music centre, where people can go and train as well as experience the traditional and local music. Therefore, this entire area is being build up as a complete circuit, where people can come and experience the living root bridges, necessary facilities and also experience it through this museum and experience centre, where they will be able to get complete knowledge about the history and culture and entire living root bridges of the state of Meghalaya.”

On his visit to a sacred grove in Raid Nongblai area, the chief minister said, “It is more dense than any other sacred grove that I have seen. It is a great experience and really the way the local people here have preserved the entire forest area, maintained it is something which is very admirable and we have come here to see how we can promote this entire area.”

“As I was mentioning earlier that we will be putting the experience centre for the living root bridges, which is just right above this particular sacred grove and this entire area will be promoted from the tourism point of view while maintaining the overall sanctity as well as the forest cover of this area so that the sentiments of the local people are always kept in mind while the experience for the tourists also is something special, which they will not get anywhere in the world,” he stated further.