Work on the Shillong Ropeway Project is expected to start by the middle of November this year.
It was informed by Meghalaya tourism minister, Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday, wherein he said that the Shillong Ropeway Project has made a lot of headway, and work on the ground should start by middle of November this year.
The cost of the project remains the same, which is Rs 175 crores.
Lyngdoh informed that at the moment, they are at the stage of opening two bids. One is the technical bid, and the other is the financial bid.
“I have been told that there are three companies who are bidders for this project, and they all qualify up to what is known as the CEN standard, which is the international standard for ropeway projects in Europe,” mentioned the tourism minister.
Explaining that it is because of the state’s topography and contours, hence the government is going for the highest possible standard, which is the European standard called the CEN standard.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also informed about the Umiam project, that they are now in the process of acquiring land.
About 300 acres of land is being transferred to the tourism department, by the MeECL through the power department. Also the Lum Nehru Park, which is with the forest department, is being transferred to the tourism department.
“The entire area in and around Umiam will be a major tourist hub once all these activities are completed,” stated Lyngdoh.
Asked about the environmental concerns near the river construction, Lyngdoh said that one must be aware that the High Court is at their doorsteps.
“You can’t do things which will be questioned by the court at any point of time. So we were fully aware of these concerns. We would like to work in a framework where the concern for the environment, for our water bodies, is in sync with what we do to push tourism as a sector,” assured Lyngdoh.
