Guwahati / Nongpoh, December 31, 2025:
Ri Sai, a newly developed cultural stopover located along the Guwahati–Shillong highway at Nongpoh, is emerging as a distinctive model for highway tourism in the Northeast by bringing together hospitality, dining, indigenous textiles, and local enterprise under one destination.
Strategically positioned between Guwahati and Shillong, Ri Sai encourages travellers to move beyond the idea of a brief halt and instead engage with Meghalaya’s living cultural traditions, crafts, and local livelihoods in a meaningful way.
At the core of the project is the Integrated Textile & Tourism Centre (ITTC), developed by the Department of Textiles, Government of Meghalaya. The centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting Eri silk, a GI-tagged, non-violent fibre native to the Northeast. Visitors are introduced to the journey of Eri silk production, from raw fibre to finished fabric, while also gaining insight into its cultural, ecological, and economic significance.
As Eri silk—also known as Ahimsa silk—continues to gain global recognition, the ITTC positions traditional textiles as part of a contemporary economic narrative, linking tourism with sustainable artisan livelihoods rather than presenting them as static museum exhibits.
Supporting the textile centre is a curated emporium showcasing indigenous and GI-tagged products from Meghalaya, including Eri silk textiles, bamboo crafts, Larani pottery, Lakadong turmeric, and locally sourced wooden artefacts. This retail space provides direct market access for local producers while offering visitors an authentic regional shopping experience.
Ri Sai also redefines the highway dining experience through its thoughtfully designed restaurant. Overlooking the scenic hills of Nongpoh, the restaurant offers travellers a comfortable space to slow down and enjoy meals in a clean and welcoming environment. Guests can sample Meghalayan flavours alongside familiar Indian dishes, with both indoor seating and open outdoor areas enhancing the dining experience.
For travellers seeking longer halts, Ri Sai Cottage Stays offer one- and two-bedroom cottages and rooms equipped with modern amenities and private outdoor seating areas. The accommodation caters to families, road travellers, and guests looking for a relaxed stay while remaining easily accessible from the highway.
The property is owned and operated by CPGE Hospitality, the group behind Hotel Centre Point, The Shillong Address, Ri Kynjai in Meghalaya, and The Guwahati Address in Assam. By integrating food, accommodation, textiles, and crafts, Ri Sai presents a replicable model of culturally anchored highway tourism that connects travel corridors with local economies and community-based enterprises.