Shillong, Jul 28: The Meghalaya government today attempted to defend the planned Shillong Peak Ropeway project without actually answering the chief environmental concerns put forth by locals.
A group of citizens had yesterday expressed grave fears for the environment after hundreds of trees were chopped down in the Lawsohtun area close to Shillong Peak for the project. They feared that this would lead to a water shortage, affect rainfall patterns and threaten native flora and fauna.
In a press statement today, the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA) asserted that the project is being implemented in full compliance with all statutory requirements while taking environmental, social and community concerns into account.
The ropeway, which will be 896m long, will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing road-based travel, the MRDA claimed.
The authority also said that all mandatory approvals and permissions had been secured before work commenced. These include forest clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for diversion of 2.3257 hectares of forest land, compliance with the Forest Rights Act, public consultations with community members and multiple stakeholder meetings. However, environmental clearance was not required under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.
Yesterday, the residents complained that there had been no public consultation.
According to the press release, permission had been obtained to fell 544 trees and compensatory afforestation will be carried out. However, in a PIL before the Meghalaya High Court last year, the court was told that the afforestation would take place in another district, which would not assuage the residents’ fears for the local environment.
Land covering 7,416.95 square metres was leased to the state government by the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun in January 2023 for the project.
The ropeway, to be built at an estimated Rs 151 crore, is being funded by the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme. Of the total project cost, Rs 80.89 crore is being funded by the NDB, while the remaining Rs 70.11 crore is being provided by the DoNER Ministry. Construction began on October 15, 2025.
According to the MRDA, the ropeway will feature lower and upper terminals and 13 cabins designed to European (CEN) standards. Once completed, it is expected to be among the country’s world-class passenger ropeway systems.
The authority said the project is expected to enhance the commuting experience for tourists while generating employment and livelihood opportunities for local residents.
