Shillong, Oct 28: The Shillong Peak ropeway project has triggered a direct confrontation between the state government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), with the Tourism Department filing an FIR against a KHADC inspector a day after the council ordered closure of the site.
Commissioner and Secretary Tourism Rosetta Mary Kurbah on Wednesday said an FIR was lodged at Laban Police Station against the inspector for allegedly seizing the lower terminal site at Madan Laban.
“The lower terminal belongs to the government. It is government property where we have put up a temporary camp,” Kurbah said, adding the department was not comfortable with the action. No arrests have been made and police are investigating.
She said the camp was for preliminary work mandated by the New Development Bank—soil testing, approach road and ground levelling—and no construction has begun.
“There has not been any digging of pillars. No digging has been done for the terminal,” she said.
The FIR came a day after KHADC CEM Winston Tony Lyngdoh ordered closure of the project for operating without a trading licence.
Lyngdoh said two show-cause notices were served in May and September and the company assured compliance in 7-10 days but failed to produce NOCs. He said the council must set an example to prevent outside firms from trampling on its authority.
Detailing the chronology, Kurbah said the work order was issued on October 25, 2025. The contractor obtained NOC from Dorbar Pyllun on May 4, 2026, applied for KHADC trading licence on May 18, sought NOC from Syiem of Mylliem on July 16 and received a letter on July 28. KHADC issued a show-cause notice on August 27, which was replied to. NOC from Dorbar Myntri of five and 11 Kur of Raid Laban Hima Mylliem was received on September 28. The trading licence application is still pending.
