Shillong, Oct 22: The Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, on Thursday held a stakeholders’ meeting on the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, implemented through the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA), to clarify concerns and explain the project’s objectives and benefits.
The meeting was chaired by Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Tourism Department, R. M. Kurbah IAS, in the presence of Chief Executive Officer of MRDA, C. V. D. Diengdoh IAS, officials from various government departments, members of the Riat Laban Dorbar pyllun and representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
During the meeting, Diengdoh gave a detailed presentation on the project, outlining its background, proposed location, funding, environmental considerations and expected benefits for local communities and the state’s tourism sector.
He stated that the project, estimated at ₹151 crore, is being funded through the New Development Bank and the Government of India under the PM-DevINE scheme. The proposed ropeway will cover a distance of 913 metres and use a monocable gondola system designed to provide an environmentally friendly mode of transport.
Diengdoh explained that the project was conceptualised to improve access to the Shillong Viewpoint, one of Meghalaya’s most visited tourist destinations, where access is currently regulated due to its route through defence land. Visitors often face long waiting times, while vendors and other local stakeholders dependent on tourism are affected by restricted access.
He said the ropeway would provide an alternative means of reaching the viewpoint, with the journey from the lower terminal at Madan Laban expected to take approximately five to six minutes. The project is also expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities and support the livelihoods of local vendors.
Emphasising its environmental benefits, Diengdoh said the ropeway would operate on electrical power and would not emit smoke during operation. By reducing the need for vehicles travelling to the viewpoint, the project is expected to help minimise vehicular pollution and traffic congestion in the area.
He further clarified that the project would not be located at Lum Shillong, the sacred site belonging to the community, but would connect Madan Laban to an upper terminal near the existing Shillong Viewpoint. The proposed alignment, he said, was selected after multiple site inspections, taking into account environmental concerns, water sources, catchment areas, the surrounding landscape and security considerations.
Diengdoh added that the Shillong Viewpoint would continue to function as a tourist destination, with plans to improve facilities for visitors and provide better stalls for existing vendors. He noted that the project had undergone a lengthy planning process involving consultations and clearances from various state and central authorities, including forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the project’s location, water sources, air pollution and public consultation. Participants raised questions and offered suggestions to the department, providing an opportunity for further clarification and discussion among the stakeholders.
The department reiterated that the project aims to improve accessibility to the Shillong Viewpoint, strengthen tourism-related livelihoods and promote a more sustainable mode of transport while addressing concerns raised by the local community.
