Shillong, Aug 3: The Joint Action Committee Against the Shillong Ropeway Project and for the Protection of the Lum Shyllong Catchment met the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council CEM to immediately stop work.
The JAC, in a letter to the CEM said the proposed ropeway from Riat Laban to Shillong Peak, should be stopped alleging that the executing agency does not have the required permissions and that local residents were kept out of the decision-making process.
JAC President Deborah Marbaniang and member Olivia Mawlong said the KEC International Ltd – Tantia Construction Ltd JV has not obtained a Trading Licence from the Council and has also not secured a No Objection Certificate from the Hima Mylliem.
The committee, representing residents of eight Dorbar Shnong under Laban Area, said this renders the ongoing work illegal and must be suspended until all due clearances are in place.
The JAC also flagged that tree felling is continuing at the project site and asked the Council to conduct an immediate inspection to assess the extent of damage.
It further requested that the Council summon and hold a hearing with all seven Dorbar Shnong to address disputes and clarify documents related to land ownership that it said had been handed over to the government through the state Tourism Department.
The committee rejected a July 28 press release issued by the Tourism Department which claimed that a public hearing was held on September 27, 2022 along with Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun.
Marbaniang said residents of the area had no knowledge of, nor were they part of, any such consultation, and that the lack of public information has left the community in the dark and in distress.
Referring to two earlier representations sent to the Council on July 9 and July 14 seeking that no trading license be issued to any company involved in the project, the JAC said its concerns remain unaddressed.
The group added that there are several other issues it has not been able to raise in detail, but that the core problem stems from decisions being taken without informing or involving the local residents.
