Shillong, Nov 11: The Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya, has reiterated that its doors remain open to the Joint Action Committee against the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, and to every citizen and organisation, for dialogue on the project.
The Department has invited the Committee to meet in whichever form it prefers, a formal meeting with all stakeholders, a meeting with the Department alone, or an informal meeting with senior officers.
The Department respects the concern of the mothers and citizens who have raised their voice for U Lum Shyllong and for the water security of Shillong. This concern is shared by the Department, and it is for this reason that every question raised so far has been examined and answered on record.
The Department welcomes the call made by civic and women organisations for dialogue, and stands ready to take it forward. Record of engagement since August 2026, the Department has engaged with the community and stakeholders on the 8 August 2026 Joint site inspection of concerns on water sources by the Tourism, PHED and Forest Departments and the Shillong Municipal Board, with the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun.
On 15 October 2026 Meeting with the Joint Action Committee, chaired by the Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism, with a presentation by the project's environmental specialist on 22 October 2026 Stakeholders; meeting, convened through written invitations, with the Dorbar Pyllun and the headmen of all seven localities, the Joint Action Committee, PHED, the Shillong Municipal Board, technical agencies and the press.
On the 4 November 2026 Public consultation at the State Convention Centre, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer, Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority, attended by citizens, community representatives and organisations, with the ropeway system designers joining online.
The Joint Action Committee was invited on 5 November 2026 Renewed invitation from the Director of Tourism to the Joint Action Committee for a formal or informal meeting Concerns examined and answered Water sources.
Maps showing the locations of springs in relation to the alignment have been presented at the meetings, with springs located away from the alignment, some between 500 metres and one kilometre away.
The towers stand on a ridge with no water sources beneath them, and the catchment of the Mawphlang dam lies on a different ridge.
Trees: When tall trees were found along the line, the ropeway was redesigned to run higher, so that the cable and cabins pass above the forest canopy and tree cutting is reduced.
Wildlife and environment, An Environment and Social Impact Assessment was carried out and reviewed by independent experts. A camera trap study was conducted in consultation with the Forest Department, and a management plan will be implemented before, during and after construction.
The public consultation was conducted in 2022 by an independent agency, the Meghalaya Institute of Governance, under the project Environment and Social Management Plan, with letters to the headmen of all seven localities requesting them to mobilise residents.
The lower terminal at Madan Laban comes up on land earlier used as a Forest Department nursery, and the upper terminal below the Shillong View Point on land handed over by the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun.
The ropeway is built to European safety standards, with a design reviewed for safety by an IIT, and will carry passengers only, not goods.
Clearances and Approvals and no objection certificates have been obtained from the agencies concerned, including the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and the Airports Authority of India.
Under the applicable notification of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, ropeway projects of this kind are exempt from the requirement of environmental clearance.
The way forward, The Shillong Peak Ropeway, implemented by the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority, is a 913 metre passenger ropeway from Madan Laban to Shillong Peak, funded by the New Development Bank and PM-DevINE.
It will improve access to the Peak and create livelihoods for local youth, homestays and small businesses across the city. The Department will continue to place every assessment before the public, and will take any further views into account as the project is implemented.
Citizens and organisations who wish to meet the Department or seek any clarification on the project may approach the Directorate of Tourism, Shillong.
