Shillong, Nov 6: KHADC opposition leader and UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne on Friday urged the government to revive a 2015-16 proposal for ropeway project connecting Mawsynram with Sohra.
Reminding that the Mawsynram-Sohra ropeway was not a new idea, he said, “In the year 2015-2016, during the government of Dr Mukul Sangma, there was a proposal that the ropeway would come from Mawsynram to connect with Sohra, and this also appeared in the budget provision.”
He was responding to a query on the ongoing protest against the Shillong Ropeway project and the demand to shift the ropeway.
Chyne said development cannot come at the cost of the environment and people’s lives.
“I do not want any development to compromise either on the environment, or to affect the life of the people,” he said.
On tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh’s contention that the project cannot be shifted, Shyne said, “They are allowed to be shifted. Sometimes projects that do not get a place are shifted elsewhere. There are roads that are opposed, they are shifted elsewhere.”
He also urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to stand by its position – after sealing a government property connected with the ropeway.
Chyne asserted that the ropeway company must obtain the trading licence from the KHADC.
