Shillong Peak Ropeway: Rs 151 Crore Project Plan
Shillong, October 23: Meghalaya has proposed a Rs 151 crore ropeway at Shillong Peak, a move that officials say will make the site more accessible to tourists. The project is also expected to relieve pressure on current roads and generate fresh income opportunities.
The government announced on Friday that it aims to complete the project by October 14, 2028.
The Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA) is carrying out the work. The ropeway will cover a length of 913 metres, with 11 passenger cabins and two extra cabins.
The Tourism Department presented the project's main features, planned environmental safeguards and community engagement measures at a briefing held at the State Convention Centre.
Access to Shillong Peak has been difficult for years. Tourists have traditionally used routes passing through defence-controlled areas, which come with security restrictions. The ropeway plan seeks to resolve this long-standing issue.
According to the government's presentation, the first attempts to improve access came in 2012 with footpaths from Madan Laban and Upper Lumparing. Steep slopes, however, made those paths hard to use. The government therefore started considering a ropeway in 2019.
The New Development Bank (NDB) is funding Rs 80.89 crore of the project. The remaining Rs 70.11 crore is being provided through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region under the PM-DevINE initiative.
The upper terminal will sit about 80 metres below the Shillong Peak viewpoint. Officials said this will protect the scenic vistas and address the Air Force's security concerns.
The lower terminal is proposed at a government forest nursery in Madan Laban. Officials said assessments indicate that water catchment areas will not be affected.
The alignment will follow a hill range, officials said, and the environmental assessment did not find any major impact on water catchment areas. Forests, water sources and the wider landscape were all considered in the review.
The Umiew catchment and Mawphlang dam area will lie outside the tower sites, the government said, so no water source is expected to be affected. Based on the presentation, the sacred site of Lum Shillong is 3.15 km from the proposed route.
Officials explained that cables and cabins will travel above the tree canopy. Tree cutting will be restricted to six tower sites and two terminal stations. Lower vehicle traffic to the viewpoint may also help reduce congestion and pollution.
An environmental impact study has been completed as per NDB requirements, and the project will follow the environmental safeguards and statutory provisions that apply.
The briefing was co-chaired by the MRDA Chief Executive Officer and the Commissioner and Secretary of the Tourism Department. Officials said consultations and site inspections were conducted with local stakeholders, including the Riat Laban Dorbar Pillun.
The project is expected to generate more than 450 direct and indirect jobs in tourism, hospitality, transport and retail. Community representatives welcomed the clarifications but said they need time to verify the information before further deliberation.
The government urged stakeholders to cooperate with the initiative, highlighting its potential to upgrade tourism infrastructure and support local livelihoods.