Shillong: A sharp standoff erupted in Shillong over a new ropeway project. The Joint Action Committee, led by local women, held an indefinite sit-in and marched to the Main Secretariat to block the plans. They fear the construction will wreck vital drinking water sources and catchment areas near Lum Shyllong. The group wants the project moved or scrapped entirely.
Digital support tells a different story. Many residents claim the ropeway will fix traffic jams and boost tourism. These online supporters have yet to organize any public demonstrations to counter the protesters. Political players joined the fight, too. Both the Voice of the People Party and the Congress have backed the anti-ropeway agitation.
The Meghalaya government refuses to blink. Officials stated the Rs 151-crore project will finish by 2028. They claim the construction follows all environmental rules. "A distance of 3.15 km separates the project site from Shillong Peak itself," officials clarified regarding encroachment concerns. Authorities point to federal guidelines labeling passenger ropeways as eco-friendly, noting the towers cover a tiny portion of the catchment zone.
Contractors are stuck in the middle. They already bought specialized machinery worth crores of rupees for the job. These agencies now wait for the state to withstand the pressure from the streets.
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