SHILLONG, OCT 22: A stakeholders meeting on the Rs 151 crore Shillong Ropeway Project ended on a stormy note on Thursday with members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Shillong Ropeway Project staging a walkout, accusing the government of holding a “personal hearing” without informing residents.
After chairing the meeting, Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Tourism Cyril V D Diengdoh said the government had convened all concerned to address apprehensions head-on.
“We had a presentation on the Shillong Ropeway Project, especially looking at the concerns raised by the public. We invited all stakeholders from government departments including PHE, Shillong Municipal Board and those departments involved in consultation. We also invited the members of the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun and members of the Joint Action Committee. All stakeholders were here and a detailed presentation was given,” Diengdoh said.
The project is being implemented by the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA).
Diengdoh said the presentation clearly established that no spring or water source is touched by the alignment.
“In the presentation, we showed the sources of springs and showed how the water line is moving including the watershed and the fact that the towers of the project are on top of the ridge which has no water sources below them. We have shown to all stakeholders that no water source is being affected,” he said.
He also clarified that the Umiew catchment that feeds the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme through PHE’s Mawphlang Dam is on a different ridge and remains unaffected.
“The way water flows through gravity and the way it follows natural process, we have been able to clarify these concerns,” he said.
On the sacred Lum Shillong and Shillong Peak, he said, “We clarified in the PPT that the upper terminal point is coming up just below the Shillong Viewpoint on land handed over by Raid Laban. The lower terminal point is a nursery belonging to the Forest Department, handed over to Tourism. It is on existing government land. The Lum Shillong sacred forest area, the sacred site at Shillong Peak, is not getting affected at all.”
The Tourism Commissioner said the project has secured all mandatory clearances – from the Air Force, Airport Authority of India, Army, and Raid Laban Dorbar.
“NOCs have been obtained from all authorities. The lease agreement was signed in January with representatives of the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun in a public meeting. Programmes were held with the public right from 2021 onwards and the foundation stone was laid in 2024,” he said.
On the charge of lack of public consultation, Diengdoh said the exercise was conducted as per the Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) required for New Development Bank-funded projects, by an independent agency.
“The public consultation was not conducted directly by the Tourism Department; it was done by the Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG), which is the notified agency to conduct such consultations for various projects, including roads, to ensure transparency. Through the Rangbah Shnong and headmen, the consultation was conducted in Laban locality because it affects those localities,” he said.
Pitching the ropeway as a future-ready tourism asset, Diengdoh said, “This ropeway is being built according to SANS standards. SANS standards are European standards in terms of safety and best technology available. It is a monocable gondola system that will take tourists from Madan Laban to Shillong Viewpoint.”
He said the project will help decongest and protect the sacred site.
“Once the ropeway is operational, the road going around Lum Shillong including the road that goes to defence and Air Force land can be closed to the general public and all tourists can come through the ropeway. It will benefit local vendors selling goods there,” he said.
“A ropeway system is a green project, environmentally friendly and does not emit air pollution like vehicles that produce smoke. It will travel above the tree line, allowing tourists to view the Shillong city landscape on one side and dense green cover on both sides,” he said.
He said the government has noted all additional suggestions and that all points recorded will be examined as per law.
“We appeal that this is a very important project for the state. It has taken many years in planning. Tourism is the way forward and this will create many jobs for our youth and entrepreneurs. The future generation will benefit. We appeal for support because it will have a very positive impact on the economy and tourism sector,” Diengdoh said, urging media to help clear misconceptions.
He added, “We have tried to convince all stakeholders including JAC that their concerns are being addressed. If certain groups are still not satisfied, we are open to further discussion. However, every project has a timeline and costs involved. A joint inspection was also done previously at the site in August. We appeal to stakeholders to trust the system and the official approvals obtained.”
The meeting witnessed sharp exchanges before the walkout.
A Dorbar Pyllun leader claimed announcements were made in every locality, saying, “Regarding the conduct of this hearing, yes, letters were received and announcements were made in every locality. But regarding their claim that announcements were not made, announcements were made but they did not hear about it. Like even today, the letter that you gave yesterday was also announced in all localities, but see, no one came.”
He also said the JAC, being residents, should be allowed to speak.
Strongly contesting this, JAC Secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang said before walking out, “You say you have called for a public hearing, are you speaking the truth? Did you call us? No, you did not do that. Please don’t lie. Very sorry Sir. Please speak the truth and the truth will stand. We want righteous judgment. The Dorbar Shnongs say they did not receive information, so please don’t lie.”
A resident backing her said, “We are the residents, we know it better. You did not inform about the public hearing, it is your personal hearing, it is just a hearing among the members of the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun and we the residents of the Laban Dorbar Pyllun were excluded. You are trampling over our rights and yet you are telling a lie. It’s a lie, it’s a lie.”
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