The Meghalaya Government has issued a detailed clarification defending the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project amid concerns raised by sections of the public, asserting that the ₹151-crore tourism infrastructure initiative has secured all mandatory statutory approvals and environmental safeguards before construction began. Positioning the project as a flagship tourism venture aimed at promoting sustainable mobility and generating local employment, the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority (MRDA) said the project has been planned and is being implemented in accordance with national laws and international safeguard standards while balancing development with environmental conservation.
The Shillong Peak Ropeway Project is being implemented by the Tourism Department through the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority with funding from 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. The total project cost is ₹151 crore, of which ₹80.89 crore is funded by the NDB and ₹70.11 crore by the DoNER Ministry. Construction commenced on October 15, 2025, following national and international environmental and social safeguard standards. The 896-metre-long ropeway will feature lower and upper terminal stations and 13 cabins designed as per European CEN standards. The Authority said the completed project would be among the country’s leading world-class passenger ropeways.
According to the clarification, the ropeway is expected to improve the commuting experience for tourists while creating employment and livelihood opportunities for local residents. It also stated that the project would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing a portion of road-based travel with ropeway transport. The Tourism Department is implementing the project in partnership with the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun, which has agreed to lease land required for the project.
The Authority maintained that the project was undertaken only after obtaining all mandatory statutory permissions relating to environmental safeguards. It said Forest Clearance for diversion of 2.3257 hectares of forest land was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on October 24, 2024, after the proposal was submitted on November 28, 2023. It added that 2.3257 hectares of land had already been transferred to the Forest Department for compensatory tree plantation on September 22, 2023, while compliance with the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, was duly followed.
The clarification further stated that a public consultation with community members was held on September 27, 2022, followed by multiple meetings with the Government of Meghalaya and community stakeholders. It noted that under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, the project does not require Environmental Clearance.
The Authority also said a land lease agreement covering 7,416.95 square metres was signed between the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun and the Tourism Department on January 16, 2023. Permission for felling 544 trees was obtained from the Forest Department, and all trees were marked and removed following due procedure. In addition, No Objection Certificates were secured from the Airports Authority of India on April 24, 2023, the Air Force Station on July 26, 2023, and the Indian Army on August 7, 2023.
Reaffirming the Government’s position, the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority stated, “The Government remains committed to balancing development with environmental conservation, and will continue to engage with stakeholders in a transparent and responsible manner throughout the implementation of the project. Protecting Meghalaya’s natural heritage while creating sustainable opportunities for its people continues to remain a guiding principle of the Government’s Tourism Development strategy.”
