Shillong, Nov 11: In a bid to address stakeholders’ concern over Shillong Peak Ropeway project, the state government has renewed its call for a dialogue with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and other concerned citizens and organisations opposing the project.
In its invitation for talks, the Tourism department said the JAC could choose any format for discussions, including a multi-stakeholder meeting, a separate departmental meeting or informal talks with senior officials.
The department has acknowledged concerns raised by local residents, particularly mothers, over U Lum Shyllong, water security and environmental protection, saying it had documented and examined the queries raised by the stakeholders.
Citing several rounds of consultations since August 2026, the department mentioned a joint site inspection on August 8, a meeting with JAC on October 15, a wider stakeholders’ meeting on October 22 and a public consultation on November 4 at State Convention Centre.
A fresh invitation was also issued to the JAC on November 5.
The department while seeking to address concerns over water sources, said mapping data presented during consultations showed that springs were located 500 metres to one kilometre from the proposed alignment.
It also maintained that the ropeway towers would be placed on a ridge without underlying water sources and that the Mawphlang dam catchment was on a separate ridge.
On environmental concerns, the department said the ropeway design had been modified to allow cables and cabins to pass above the forest canopy, minimising tree cutting.
It added that independent experts had reviewed the Environment and Social Impact Assessment, while a dedicated environmental management plan and camera-trap study would guide the project’s implementation.
The department further stated that public consultations were conducted in 2022 through the Meghalaya Institute of Governance.
It said the project’s structural safety had been reviewed by IIT and that clearances had been obtained from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Airports Authority of India.
The department also maintained that the project was exempt from requiring environmental clearance under applicable central government notifications.
The 913-metre passenger ropeway, being implemented by the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority with funding from the New Development Bank and PM-DevINE, will connect Madan Laban to Shillong Peak.
The department said project assessments would remain open to public scrutiny and feedback.
It urged the JAC and other concerned groups to engage with officials for further discussions.
