Meghalaya government affirms Shillong Peak ropeway despite opposition

The Meghalaya government said on Thursday it will not reverse the Shillong Peak ropeway project despite opposition, with Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh stating that all required clearances have been secured.

Government stance on the ropeway

The Shillong Times reported that the minister emphasized the initiative stems from years of discussion aimed at improving access to Shillong Peak, where visitors previously faced identity checks and frequent gate closures. He noted that the journey from Terminal 1 to the viewpoint is expected to take about three minutes.

Clearances and agreements

Lyngdoh said written permission from the local Dorbar was obtained in 2022, followed by a land-lease agreement with the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun in 2023. No-objection certificates were received from the Airports Authority of India, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, and land for compensatory plantation was transferred that year. He described the memorandum of understanding as a 30-year bilateral agreement that has already been signed and sealed. Referring to a 2022 Union Environment Ministry notification that recommended aerial ropeways as an environmentally friendly mode of transport, he pointed out that the project site is about 3.15 km from Shillong Peak.

Opposition’s concerns

Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun leader Jied Nongkynrih questioned the legitimacy of the public consultation process, noting that the meeting attended by only 22 people fell short of the quorum usually required for Dorbar Shnong meetings, which are postponed when only 10–12 members are present. He argued that such limited participation raises serious doubts about how public opinion is being assessed and urged the government to scrap the project.

Government response to criticism

Lyngdoh warned that halting the project after clearances and agreements could damage Meghalaya’s image among future investors. He said the government remains open to engaging with critics and offered to take them to ropeway sites in Sikkim and Shimla. An application for KHADC permission submitted in May is still under process, and the seal at the site was broken on Wednesday, he stressed, noting that the land belongs to the state government.

Continuing divide

The contrasting positions underscore an ongoing divide over the ropeway. While the state stresses completed clearances, long-term investment considerations and environmental endorsements, local leaders focus on the perceived inadequacy of community consultation, highlighting differing views on development priorities and procedural transparency in Meghalaya.