‘All approvals taken, environmental & community safeguards taken care of’
Shillong, July 28: The state government has sought to allay public concern over the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, stating that the project has all statutory approvals and will be implemented taking all environmental and community safeguards.
The Rs 151-crore ropeway will be built as part of the PM-DevINE scheme with New Development Bank contributing Rs 80.89 crore and the DoNER Ministry providing the rest Rs 70.11 crore.
Work on the 896-metre ropeway, which will have 13 cabins built to European CEN standards, is slated to begin on 15 October 2026, according to Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA) under the Tourism Department.
MRDA officials said the project aims to offer tourists a better commuting option while also creating local jobs and reducing vehicular traffic, and thereby emissions, to Shillong Peak.
Once ready, it is expected to be among the most modern passenger ropeways in the country.
MRDA noted that the project was conceptualised by the Tourism Department in collaboration with Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun, which has leased 7,416.95 sqm of land for the purpose under an agreement signed in January 2023.
On environmental aspects, the government said forest clearance for diversion of 2.3357 hectares was accorded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 24 October 2024.
Compensatory land for tree plantation was transferred in September 2023, and due process under the Forest Rights Act was followed.
Permission to fell 544 trees was also obtained after they were duly marked.
The statement added that community consultations were conducted in September 2022 and subsequent stakeholder meetings were held.
As per EIA Notification 2006, the project does not require environmental clearance.
All security-related NOCs have also been received, including from the Airports Authority of India in April 2023, the Air Force in July 2023, and the Army in August 2023.
The government reiterated that development and conservation will go hand in hand.
It said stakeholder engagement will continue through the project period, with protection of Meghalaya’s natural heritage and creation of sustainable livelihoods remaining central to its tourism strategy.
