Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday defended the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project amid concerns raised by sections of the public, asserting that the project is being implemented in compliance with all statutory requirements while taking environmental, social and community concerns into account.
In a clarification issued by the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA), the Tourism Department said the project has been planned in accordance with national laws as well as international environmental and social safeguard standards.
The ₹151-crore Shillong Peak Ropeway Project is being funded by the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme. Of the total project cost, ₹80.89 crore is being financed by the NDB, while the remaining ₹70.11 crore is being provided by the DoNER Ministry. Construction commenced on October 15, 2025.
According to the MRDA, the 896-metre ropeway will feature lower and upper terminals and 13 cabins built to European (CEN) standards. Once completed, it is expected to rank among India’s world-class passenger ropeway systems.
The authority said the project is expected to improve tourist mobility while creating employment and livelihood opportunities for local residents. It also maintained that the ropeway would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing road-based transport. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Rait Laban Dorbar Pyllun, which has leased the required land to the Tourism Department.
Addressing environmental concerns, the government said all mandatory approvals and clearances had been secured before construction began. These include forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the diversion of 2.3257 hectares of forest land, compliance with the Forest Rights Act, public consultations with community members, and multiple stakeholder meetings. It also noted that environmental clearance was not required under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
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The MRDA further stated that a land lease agreement covering 7,416.95 square metres was signed with the Rait Laban Dorbar Pyllun in January 2023. It added that permission had been obtained to fell 544 trees after due process and that no-objection certificates (NOCs) had also been secured from the Airports Authority of India, the Air Force Station and the Indian Army.
Reiterating its position, the government said it remains committed to balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation and will continue engaging stakeholders in a transparent and responsible manner throughout the project’s implementation. It added that protecting Meghalaya’s natural heritage while creating sustainable opportunities for its people remains a key pillar of the state’s tourism development strategy.
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