Shillong, Oct 22: The Meghalaya Government on Thursday clarified that the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway will not be located at the sacred Lum Shillong site, amid concerns over its location and environmental impact.
The clarification came at a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Tourism Commissioner and Secretary R M Kurbah, where MRDA CEO C V D Diengdoh said the ropeway will connect Madan Laban to the existing Shillong Viewpoint. She said the alignment was finalized after multiple inspections considering water sources, catchment areas, landscape and security.
The Rs 151-crore project, funded by the New Development Bank and the Centre under the PM-DevINE scheme, will be a 913-metre monocable gondola system. The ride from the lower terminal is expected to take five to six minutes and will provide an alternative to the defence route where access is regulated and tourists face long waits.
C V D Diengdoh said the electrically powered system will emit no smoke and will help reduce vehicular pollution and congestion while generating employment and supporting local vendors. He added that the viewpoint will continue as a tourist destination with improved facilities and that the project has received necessary clearances including forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
