SHILLONG, NOV 5: Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has ruled out any possibility of the government backtracking on the Shillong Ropeway Project, asserting that the project will move forward.
Lyngdoh made the statement a day after taking charge again as Tourism Minister.
Speaking to reporters, he said the Tourism Department had already signed a 30-year land lease agreement with Raid Laban and obtained the necessary clearances from various departments to proceed with the project.
Addressing the objections raised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) over concerns regarding drinking water sources and encroachment towards Lum Shillong, Lyngdoh maintained that the project would not affect any water sources. He also said the project site was located around 3.15 km away from Lum Shillong.
He further clarified that the alignment from Terminal 1 does not pass near any water sources or streams.
The minister said the project had received written approval from the Dorbar in 2022, followed by a 30-year land lease agreement with the Raid Laban Dorbar Pyllun, representing seven localities, on January 16, 2023. Other clearances were also obtained from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Air Force, the Army and various ministries of the Government of India. Land for plantation was also provided in September 2023.
Lyngdoh said the government had repeatedly maintained that its doors remained open for discussions with those opposing the project. However, he pointed out that the JAC did not attend the meeting scheduled for November 4, instead continuing to reiterate its opposition the project.
