States » EastPosted at: Nov 11 2026 10:01PM


Shillong Ropeway row: Meghalaya minister stages walkout from stakeholders' meeting as JAC protest enters day 6

Shillong, Nov 11 (UNI) Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai staged a walkout from a stakeholders’ meeting on the proposed Shillong ropeway project on Wednesday, accusing Joint Action Committee (JAC) members of disrupting proceedings over a proposed independent expert probe.
The stakeholders’ meeting, convened by the 19-South Shillong Advisory Committee chaired by Shullai, witnessed sharp differences of opinion, with several participants expressing reservations over the Rs 151-crore ropeway project.
The meeting was held as women protesters under the banner of the JAC continued their indefinite sit-in against the ropeway project in front of U Kiang Nangbah statue in the state capital.
Entering its sixth day on Wednesday, the sit-in demonstration saw the women protesters vowing not to back down unless the project is scrapped.
The JAC warned that the ropeway will disturb the water catchment area and pose serious environmental concerns.
After walking out of the meeting, Shullai said the South Shillong Advisory Committee had decided to meet Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to request the constitution of an independent expert panel comprising technical and environmental specialists from premier institutions such as IITs and NITs.
He said the proposed panel would examine concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on local water sources.
The minister said that the agitating JAC and other groups could submit their views and suggestions regarding the project so that a formal meeting with the Chief Minister could be arranged.
Shullai said that government data indicates all six proposed ropeway towers lie outside the Umiew catchment area, with the nearest spring located approximately one kilometre away.
He further stated that the land lease had been signed at Shillong View Point following a video presentation to residents and public notices across print and electronic media.
Moreover, Shullai said the Ministry of Defence, the Airports Authority of India, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the mega-project.
Meanwhile, JAC General Secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang reiterated the committee’s resolve to continue the peaceful agitation until the project is scrapped, maintaining that the venture poses a direct threat to the vital water sources and catchment areas of U Lum Shyllong.
Last week, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh ruled out rolling back the Shillong Ropeway project, stating that it had secured all mandatory environmental clearances. He emphasised that signed agreements could not be reversed at this stage.
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