Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma brought National People’s Party MLA Paul Lyngdoh back into the Cabinet this Monday. Governor C.H. Vijayashankar swore Lyngdoh in at Lok Bhavan. He regains the Tourism portfolio and will likely oversee Social Welfare as well. This shift comes after a Cabinet reshuffle in September 2025.
Lyngdoh faces a firestorm immediately. He must deal with the contentious Shillong Peak Ropeway Project. The plan intends to link Shillong Viewpoint to a Forest Nursery at Riat Laban. Local residents, the Khasi Students’ Union, the Voice of the People Party, and women’s groups under the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun are fighting the construction. The dispute also pits the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council against the state government.
The new minister claims he did not lobby for his old job. He says the Chief Minister pushed for continuity. "The only thing the CM told me is that he wants to see continuity in various tourism activities and that he would like me to opt for Tourism. I accepted, fully knowing the challenges that have come up in recent times," Lyngdoh noted. He intends to talk with his department officials to finalize a path forward.
Lyngdoh argues the project holds all necessary environmental clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change dating back to 2022. He insists the design matches safety standards seen in the Swiss Alps. He also claims the ropeway will help local farmers move produce more efficiently. The government finalized a land-handing-over agreement for the site on January 16, 2023.
Chief Minister Sangma remains firm on the issue. He warns that blocking the project hurts the local economy. Sangma claims the move will create jobs for hundreds of youths. He believes the government has already satisfied all environmental requirements. "If you are opposing the project, you are affecting the livelihood opportunities of the youths," the Chief Minister said. He insists the state must move forward.
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