Shillong: A heated debate over the proposed Shillong Ropeway Project now centers on the Meghalaya Ropeway Act of 2022. The legislation provides the legal backbone for building and running such transport systems in the state. Developers must jump through several hoops before shoveling dirt. Lawmakers passed the bill in September 2022.
Transparency is a requirement. Section 29 forces the Licensing Authority to post draft licenses in one local and one national newspaper. Residents get 30 days to protest or offer input. Officials must hang notices along the route and notify every affected landowner. The authority must weigh all feedback before signing off on the license. Rules are rules.
Promoters can tender work or hire contractors early on, but Section 30 bans actual construction without a valid permit. The Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority must create a vision paper alongside local leaders. This group includes traditional bodies like the Syiem, Sordar, Doloi, Nokma, and Rangbah Shnong. Local input stays central to the planning phase.
District officials take charge through a Project Committee led by the Deputy Commissioner. This team handles land acquisition, forest clearances, and utility access. They act as a single-window clearinghouse for project needs. Section 36 protects the state's leverage regarding property. Even if a landowner objects, the Deputy Commissioner can authorize structures or rope suspension over private ground. They must grant the owner a chance to speak first. As the project faces scrutiny, the act stands as the final word. It ensures that "the Licensing Authority is required to consider the objections and suggestions received before taking a decision on the proposed licence."
Comments