The Meghalaya government has lodged a police complaint against a Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) inspector for locking the lower terminal site of the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project at Lawsohtun, asserting that the land belongs to the government and that construction has not started.
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary RM Kurbah said on Tuesday that an FIR had been registered at Laban Police Station against the inspector, who allegedly sealed the premises earlier that day. No arrest had been made, and police were investigating the incident.
Kurbah said the Tourism Department had established a temporary camp at the site to carry out preliminary activities required under environmental and social safeguards prescribed by the New Development Bank, which is financing the project. Preparatory work includes soil testing, levelling the ground and developing an approach road before construction begins.
She rejected allegations that construction had commenced without the necessary clearances, stating that no work had started either at the lower terminal or at the proposed locations of the ropeway’s six pillars.
Defending the process followed for the project, Kurbah said the contractor received the work order on October 25, 2025, after the prescribed procedures were completed.
According to her, the contractor obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Dorbar Pyllun on May 4, 2026, and applied to the KHADC for a trading licence on May 18. An application for another NOC was submitted to the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on July 16, with a response received on July 28.
The KHADC issued a show-cause notice on August 27, which the contractor subsequently answered. Another NOC was obtained from the Dorbar Myntri of San Kur and 11 Kur of Riat Laban Mylliem on September 28. Kurbah said the trading licence process was still underway.
She added that the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation had engaged with the relevant traditional institutions. Consultations with the Dorbars of Raid Laban and the lower terminal area had also been held in 2022, when no objections were raised, she said.
Addressing environmental concerns over Lum Shyllong and its water catchment, Kurbah said the project had been explained through a detailed presentation at a meeting at the State Convention Centre. She noted that Lum Shyllong was approximately 3.15 km from the proposed ropeway site.
Separately, the Joint Action Committee opposing the project met the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday and sought the cancellation of the sanads issued to headmen who entered into land lease agreements for the ropeway.
