Shillong: Amid continuing protests, the state tourism department on Wednesday reiterated that its “doors remain open” to the joint action committee against Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, as well as to citizens and organisations, for dialogue on the project.“The department has invited the committee to meet in whichever form it prefers — a formal meeting with all stakeholders, a meeting with the department alone, or an informal meeting with senior officers. The department respects the concerns of the mothers and citizens who have raised their voices for U Lum Shyllong and the water security of Shillong,” the department said in a statement.The department said it had engaged with the community and stakeholders on their concerns since Aug. People were protesting Shillong Peak ropeway mainly because they feared it could harm water sources, forests and the local ecosystem around Lum Shyllong, the area where the project is proposed.“Maps show that springs are located away from the alignment, some between 500 metres and 1 km away. The towers stand on a ridge with no water sources beneath them, while the catchment of the Mawphlang dam lies on a different ridge,” the statement said.The department said the ropeway alignment had been redesigned to minimise tree cutting after tall trees were found along the proposed route. “The ropeway was redesigned to run higher so that the cable and cabins pass above the forest canopy,” it said.An Environment and Social Impact Assessment was conducted and reviewed by independent experts, according to the department. It added that a camera-trap study had also been conducted and that a management plan would be implemented before, during and after construction.“The ropeway is built to European safety standards, with a design reviewed for safety by an IIT, and will carry passengers only, not goods,” the department said.The statement said approvals and no-objection certificates had been obtained from the agencies concerned, including Air Force, Army and Airports Authority of India.“Under the applicable notification of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, ropeway projects of this kind are exempt from the requirement of environmental clearance,” the department said.Shillong Peak Ropeway, being implemented by Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority, is a 913-metre passenger ropeway from Madan Laban to Shillong Peak. The project is funded by New Development Bank and PM-DevINE.The department said the project would improve access to Shillong Peak and create livelihood opportunities for local youth, homestays and small businesses across the city.
