Minister cites years of planning, defence clearances and tourism benefits; warns project uncertainty could discourage future investment

Shillong, November 5: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday defended the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, saying it was conceived to address longstanding difficulties faced by visitors travelling to the popular viewpoint by road.

Speaking at a press conference, Lyngdoh said restricted access and periodic closures along the existing approach road had created the need for a more reliable alternative. He said the proposed ropeway would take visitors to Shillong Peak View Point in approximately 15 minutes.

The minister said the project had been under preparation for several years and highlighted the laying of its foundation stone by the President of India. He added that the Tourism Department would continue engaging with the public and explaining the project’s objectives amid opposition from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Green Tech Foundation.

Addressing concerns over regulatory approvals, Lyngdoh said the project had received clearances from the Airports Authority of India, the Air Force Station and the Indian Army. He also informed that land for compensatory plantation had been transferred to the Tourism Department in September 2023.

On environmental concerns, the minister referred to the recommendations of an expert committee under the Union Environment Ministry, which had observed that aerial ropeways could have a lower environmental impact compared to road-based transportation.

He said the committee had recommended excluding ropeway projects from the scope of the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment notification, subject to prescribed safeguards.

His remarks followed Wednesday’s public consultation, where Tourism Department officials maintained that assessments conducted by the Public Health Engineering Department indicated that the proposed project would not affect the drinking-water sources identified by those opposing it.

On demands for relocating the project, Lyngdoh said shifting the proposed alignment could affect the existing design and require fresh clearances from defence authorities.

The JAC has maintained that it is not opposed to a ropeway in principle but wants the present project relocated to another site. Lyngdoh said the current alignment had been planned to provide access to Shillong Peak View Point and that any change would require a fresh examination of the proposal.

He, however, said the Tourism Department remained open to further discussions with stakeholders. Citing earlier public consultations, he said notices had been issued and copies would be made available to the media.

Clarifying the issue surrounding the contractor’s trading licence, Lyngdoh said the company executing the project had submitted an application to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), which was currently under consideration.

He said the lower terminal site at Madan Laban was situated on Meghalaya Government land under the Tourism Department. Describing the trading licence process for a government project as a formality, he maintained that the contractor had completed the application process.

His clarification came a day after the East Khasi Hills district administration reopened the lower terminal premises by removing locks placed by the KHADC at the entrance gate and the contractor’s site office.

The minister also warned that halting the project at this stage could undermine investor confidence and discourage future private investment in Meghalaya.

He said prolonged uncertainty surrounding a major project, whose foundation stone had been laid by the President of India, could make prospective investors hesitant about undertaking projects in the state.

Highlighting the potential economic benefits, Lyngdoh said the ropeway would generate employment in areas such as operations and security while creating business opportunities for taxi operators and others involved in serving tourists.

He described the project as part of Meghalaya’s broader push towards high-value, low-volume tourism, adding that the cable-car experience would provide visitors with another reason to spend more time in Shillong.