Shillong, Oct 29: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar today called for cooperation between the State government and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to sort out irritants related to the ropeway project at Lum Shyllong.
It may be noted that the Tourism Department had yesterday filed an FIR with police against an enforcement officer of the KHADC for sealing the camp and office of the company executing the ropeway project on grounds that the company did not possess trading licence.
Speaking to media persons here today, Dhar said, “The State government has its own way of functioning and the District Council works in its own way, but we have to work together for the benefit of the people.”
He also said that the differences over the ropeway project could be sorted out through cooperation between the State government and KHADC.
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The ropeway project has been strongly opposed by the Joint Action Committee of residents of Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun who alleged that the project was started without holding of public hearing.
The JAC also alleged the lease agreement was signed in 2023 between the Tourism Department and Riat Laban Dorbar without taking the people into confidence.
Another issue raised by the JAC was that the project threatens the ecological balance of Lum Shyllong forest including the drinking water sources that feed many parts of Shillong city.
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Recently, former Chief Secretary Barkos Warjri has come out openly against the project and said that Lum Shyllong should be left untouched as it is the green lung of Shillong with rich flora and fauna besides being a source of water for the city and other rivers such as Umïam, Umngot and Umïew.
