Shillong, July 28: The Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority on Monday clarified that the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project has obtained all statutory approvals and is being implemented with due regard to environmental, social and community concerns.
In a statement, MRDA said the ₹151 crore project is being funded by the New Development Bank to the tune of ₹80.89 crore and by the DoNER Ministry with ₹70.11 crore under the PM-DevINE Scheme. Construction began on October 15, 2025.
The 896-metre ropeway will have lower and upper terminal points and 13 cabins designed as per CEN European standards. Once completed, officials said it will be among the best world-class passenger ropeways in the country and is expected to improve the tourist commuting experience while also generating employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities. The project is also projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing road travel with ropeway transit.
The Authority said the project is being developed in partnership with the Rait Laban Dorbar Pyllun, which has agreed to lease land for the purpose.
According to MRDA, forest clearance for diversion of 2.3257 hectares was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on October 24, 2024. An equal area was transferred to the Forest Department for compensatory tree plantation on September 22, 2023. Compliance under the Forest Rights Act was carried out with community members on September 27, 2022, followed by multiple meetings with the Government of Meghalaya and stakeholder representatives. As per the EIA Notification 2006, environmental clearance is not required for the project.
A land lease agreement for 7,416.95 square metres was signed with the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun on January 16, 2023. Permission for cutting 544 trees was obtained from the Forest Department and the felling was done following due process. The project also received NOCs from the Airports Authority of India on April 24, 2023, from the Air Force Station on July 26, 2023, and from the Indian Army on August 7, 2023.
MRDA reiterated that the Government remains committed to balancing development with conservation and will continue to engage stakeholders in a transparent manner. Protecting Meghalaya’s natural heritage while creating sustainable opportunities for its people, it said, will remain central to the state’s tourism development strategy.
