Shillong, October 16: Opposition to the Shillong Ropeway Project is set to intensify, with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) announcing that its public rally scheduled for October 17 will go ahead despite a recent meeting with Meghalaya government officials.
The protest decision comes after the state Tourism Department held discussions with the committee in a meeting chaired by Commissioner and Secretary R.M. Kurbah. Senior officials from several departments also attended the meeting.
JAC secretary Dr. Linda Marbaniang said the talks had not changed the committee’s position, stressing that it would continue to press for the project to be scrapped rather than seek modifications or other concessions.
As part of the demonstration, the committee plans to march from Laban Last Stop to the ongoing project site to register its opposition.
Explaining the reasons behind the protest, Dr. Linda expressed concern over the alleged felling of trees at Shillong Peak, claiming that the activity could threaten the area’s water sources and affect the local environment.
“Our priority is to protect our water sources and ensure rainfall. We do not want the Shillong Ropeway Project,” she said, reiterating the committee’s demand for the project’s cancellation.
The JAC maintains that environmental protection and the preservation of Shillong’s water resources must take precedence in decisions concerning the project.