Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Shillong Ropeway Project is hosting a public meeting at the Assam Club in Laban on October 2. The gathering kicks off at 5 pm. Organizers expect residents from Rilbong, Laban, Lumparing, Madan Laban, Lumshatsngi, Oxford, Kenche’s Trace, and Lawsohtun to attend.
The JAC claims the ropeway threatens the forest and water catchment zone of Lum Shyllong. They want more scrutiny before the project moves forward. The committee maintains the 2022 consultation was a failure. "The exercise was not adequately publicised and failed to capture the concerns of the wider community," the group stated. They are demanding a brand new public hearing.
Local anxiety remains high. Residents in Madan Laban reported tree felling and fear the construction will poison their drinking water. Last month, the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun forced a joint inspection of the site. Officials from the Meghalaya Tourism Department, the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority, the Forest and Environment Department, the Public Health Engineering Department, and the Shillong Municipal Board showed up to inspect the land.
The upcoming meeting aims to sync community efforts. Neighbors will gather to coordinate their next move against the development.
Updated at 30th September 2026 at 1:50pm
The JAC now frames the protest around the protection of Lum Shyllong as a sacred hill, labeling the site a vital pillar for the city water security. The committee also pinpointed the previous consultation, held September 27, 2022, at the Lumshatsngi Community Hall, claiming that session was stacked with project backers rather than representative local voices.
The committee is now pressuring the Tourism, Forest, and Environment departments to freeze all activity at the site until the government grants a legitimate, transparent public hearing.
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