Shillong, Nov 12: The state government has stood firm on the Shillong Ropeway Project with Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong saying that the project would not be scrapped or relocated based on “unfounded fears” even as he said the government’s door for fresh talks is open.
“The door is always open…meetings were already held not less than 3-4 times… If they want to talk again, we are there,” Tynsong said replying to a query after protesters staged a demonstration in front of the Secretariat on Friday.
“If they want further discussion, the door is open and we are ready to meet them, but not this way. You cannot just say, let us go to the Secretariat,” Tynsong said while talking tough on the demonstration by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the ropeway project.
Stating that the government is always open and accommodative, he said, “If you want talks, we are ready to discuss further about any issues because we would like to carry along everybody on board.”
“Be it a big project or a small project, ultimately it is for the interest of the people of the state. It is not for the interest of Prestone or Conrad or Sniawbhalang, it is for the interest of everybody who are here in Meghalaya,” he added.
On the JAC’s demand to scrap or relocate the project, Tynsong bluntly said, “No. On what basis? What is the claim?”
He said the JAC’s concerns relate to possible damage to water bodies, felling of trees and threat to the environment.
“This project was initiated long time back and due examination has been done. We have also engaged experts in different spheres. They themselves went and saw everything on the spot and ultimately the report was submitted to us,” he said.
“Once we met all those requirements, all these prerequisite regulations, we got all the NOCs and then we started all the work,” Tynsong said.
On whether the protest is politically motivated, he refused to label it.
“I will not say anything on that. Whether it is political or non-political, the issue, the concern that they have, I do appreciate that,” he said.
“As citizens of the state, you have every right to raise these issues and to express your concern. We welcome it. But ultimately, what is the reality?” Tynsong asked.
He said the government has already made a detailed presentation on the project.
“Let us sit down. We have already done the presentation and the presentation is very detailed, it is also clear,” he said.
Tynsong rejected the claim that water bodies will dry up.
“If you are still saying, if this project comes, the water bodies will dry up, I think that is wrong. You need to understand one thing, the ropeway project is an eco-friendly project,” he said.
“You go to the Government of India, go to any state government, you will get all this. The best project as of today in the entire nation is ropeway, because it is in line with the ecosystem that we have,” he added.
