Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) slammed the brakes on the Rs 151-crore Shillong Peak ropeway project on October 27. Officials locked the construction site after council members confronted representatives from the joint venture partners, KEC International Ltd and Tantia Construction Ltd.
Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh spearheaded the shutdown. The council claims the developers ignored local laws by starting work without a mandatory trading licence. They also failed to secure a No Objection Certificate from Hima Mylliem, the area's traditional administrative body. Heavy machinery arrived on site before any paperwork cleared.
"Our enforcement team have come twice to serve notice and also got verbal assurance from the operators. However, we realised that these people went ahead with construction without respecting the local authorities," Lyngdoh said.
The Meghalaya Tourism Department insists they followed proper channels, noting they secured an NOC from the Raid Laban Dorbar Shnong. They admitted the developer’s KHADC trading licence is still pending. The state project, which President Droupadi Murmu virtually launched on January 16, 2024, received funding from the New Development Bank and the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region. It costs Rs 151 crore, split between an Rs 80.89 crore bank loan and Rs 70.11 crore from the central scheme.
Construction work officially kicked off on October 15, 2025. The project aims to link Madan Laban to the Shillong Viewpoint using a monocable gondola system. Government officials argue the cable car will slash traffic congestion and create jobs. They also contend the path avoids the Umiew water catchment area. Local activists and environmental groups remain skeptical. They fear the development will ruin forests and threaten community rights.
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