Shillong, October 22: The Meghalaya Government has defended the proposed ₹151 crore Shillong Peak Ropeway Project amid growing opposition from sections of the local community, maintaining that the project will not affect water sources, catchment areas or the sacred Lum Shyllong site.
In a detailed presentation issued on Thursday, the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA) outlined the project’s objectives, environmental safeguards, public consultations, statutory clearances and implementation timeline, while appealing to stakeholders to cooperate in making the initiative successful.
According to the government, the 913-metre-long ropeway will provide an alternative means of reaching Shillong Peak Viewpoint, one of Meghalaya’s most popular tourist destinations, where access has traditionally depended on routes passing through defence-controlled land. The project, estimated to cost ₹151 crore, is being financed through ₹80.89 crore from the New Development Bank (NDB) and ₹70.11 crore under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE). The ropeway will have 11 cabins and two additional cabins, with completion targeted for October 14, 2028.
The government stated that the project is expected to generate more than 450 direct and indirect employment opportunities, besides promoting tourism, reducing vehicular movement and creating livelihood opportunities for local vendors.
Addressing concerns over the possible impact on water sources, the government maintained that the ropeway alignment has been designed along the ridge of the hill, away from major catchment areas. It cited findings of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), which reportedly identified no significant impact on catchment areas.
The government further stated that the ropeway cables and cabins would operate above the trees, while tree cutting would be confined to the six tower locations and the lower and upper terminal areas. On concerns relating to Lum Shyllong, which is regarded as a sacred site, the presentation stated that the ropeway is located approximately 3.15 kilometres away.
The government argued that the existing road used by tourists passes near Lum Shyllong and contributes to traffic congestion, air pollution, littering and garbage accumulation. It maintained that shifting tourist movement to the ropeway would help address these problems while reducing the inconvenience caused by security checks at the Air Force gate.
Regarding the selection of the terminal sites, the government stated that several consultations and joint inspections had been conducted with the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun, covering environmental concerns, water sources, catchment areas, landscape preservation and security considerations. The upper terminal has been proposed approximately 80 metres below Shillong Viewpoint to preserve panoramic views and address security concerns raised by the Air Force. For the lower terminal, the government selected the government-owned Forest Nursery at Madan Laban after examining several possible locations.
According to the presentation, the ridge-top location was assessed as having no impact on water catchment areas, and the proposed site had received the agreement of the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun.
The government also highlighted the history of the project, stating that efforts to improve accessibility to Shillong Peak began several years ago. In 2012, the Tourism Department developed footpaths from Madan Laban and Upper Lumparing, but these routes provided limited relief because of the steep terrain. Subsequently, in 2019, the government decided to explore the possibility of constructing a ropeway and entrusted the project to the Tourism Department. The government stated that the project had undergone several stages of planning, consultation and approval since 2021.
A land lease agreement covering 7,416.95 square metres was signed during a public programme at Shillong Viewpoint on January 16, 2023. The project subsequently received a No Objection Certificate from the Airports Authority of India on April 24, 2023, followed by clearances from the Air Force Station on July 26, 2023, and the Indian Army on August 7, 2023.
The final Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted by RITES on January 17, 2024, while the ESMP received approval from the NDB on February 7, 2024. Forest clearance for 2.3257 hectares was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on October 24, 2024. The government further stated that the Letter of Acceptance was issued to KEC-TCL Shillong Ropeway Joint Venture on January 15, 2025, followed by the final work order on February 19, 2025. The encumbrance-free project site was handed over to the contractor on October 15, 2025.
As part of the latest developments, the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) granted Stage-I building permission on May 4, 2026, the same day the project received an NOC from the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun. Applications for Stage-II building permission and pre-construction fire clearance were submitted on September 16 and September 19, 2026, respectively.
Although the government maintained that the project has secured the necessary clearances, the presentation indicated that these additional permissions had been applied for, without specifying whether final approval had been granted.
The government’s clarification comes amid opposition from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Shillong Ropeway, representing concerned residents of Laban Pyllun and Lum Shyllong, which has raised objections over potential environmental damage, threats to water sources and concerns surrounding the consultation process. The JAC had organised a protest rally on October 17 and issued a 10-day ultimatum demanding that the government shift the project to another location.
However, the government has reiterated that the proposed alignment was selected after examining environmental and technical considerations and consulting relevant stakeholders. It maintained that the project would improve access to Shillong Peak, reduce pollution and road congestion, promote sustainable tourism and strengthen the local economy.
The government concluded its presentation by appealing to all stakeholders to extend their cooperation to the Tourism Department and support the successful implementation of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, which is scheduled for completion in October 2028.
