Shillong, Nov 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said those opposing the Shillong Ropeway Project are opposing livelihood opportunities for the youth of the state, asserting that all environmental and technical concerns have been addressed.
Speaking to reporters at Lok Bhavan, Sangma said opposing for the sake of opposing is not a healthy trend in governance and concerns must be backed by real reasoning.
“We have been spending almost two and a half years on this project. All agencies involved are expert agencies and all aspects, including environment, have been addressed and taken care of. There is no reason why there should be any issue,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that when concerns were raised, clarifications were issued by the Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism and the Managing Director of MTDC, which were accepted as clear.
“Since concerns have been addressed, I don’t see why it should be stopped now. We should move forward,” he said.
Linking the project directly to employment, Sangma said the ropeway is aimed at boosting tourism to a new level.
“We all talk about job creation and complain there are not enough jobs for our youth. This project will generate hundreds if not thousands of direct and indirect employment. If you oppose this, you are affecting the livelihood and employment opportunities of our youth,” he said.
He added that the government is ready to discuss any genuine environmental concern, but as per all explanations given so far, no such issue exists.
Questioning the timing of the opposition, the Chief Minister said if there were major concerns they should have been raised much earlier.
“This is not something we started yesterday. It has been going on for two-and-a-half years. Suddenly when the project has been awarded, the issue is raised. The timing is also of concern,” he said.
Sangma said the priority for the government is to resolve the issue, move forward and ensure the project is completed to create jobs for the youth.
