The Shillong ropeway FIR has brought a fresh twist to the dispute over the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project, with Meghalaya’s Tourism Department filing a police complaint against a Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) inspector for allegedly sealing the project site.
The complaint follows the closure of the lower terminal site at Madan Laban on October 27. Tourism officials maintain that the land belongs to the state government and that workers were carrying out only preparatory activities. Meanwhile, KHADC has raised concerns about the contractor’s pending trading licence and other required clearances. India Today NE+1
Shillong Ropeway FIR Follows Site Sealing
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary R.M. Kurbah confirmed on October 28 that the department had lodged the complaint at Laban Police Station. Police had not made any arrests at the time of the initial reports, and the matter remained under investigation.
The complaint concerns the alleged sealing of the lower terminal premises by a KHADC enforcement inspector. The state government has challenged the action, arguing that the site is government property and was being used for project-related preparatory work.
However, the FIR does not establish that the inspector committed an offence. The allegations remain subject to police investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the site closure will need to be examined.
The incident has intensified the disagreement between the state government and the autonomous district council over the project’s implementation and regulatory requirements. EastMojo+2
Government Explains Shillong Ropeway Preparations
The Meghalaya government has defended the activities conducted at the lower terminal site. According to Kurbah, the Tourism Department had established a temporary camp to support preliminary work before construction begins.
These activities include soil testing, developing an approach road and levelling the ground. The department says these preparations are necessary to meet environmental and social safeguards required by the New Development Bank, which is funding part of the project.
Kurbah has also rejected allegations that construction started before the necessary approvals were secured. She said workers had not begun building the lower terminal or digging foundations for the ropeway’s six proposed pillars.
Therefore, the government maintains that the temporary camp should not be treated as evidence that construction has started. The distinction is important because the project faces questions about licensing, permissions and environmental safeguards.
Nevertheless, the dispute over the site shows that disagreements about regulatory compliance remain unresolved. India Today NE+1
Shillong Ropeway FIR Amid Pending Licence
The licensing process has become a central issue in the wider disagreement. According to Kurbah, the contractor received the work order on October 25, 2025, after the government completed the prescribed procedures.
The contractor obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Dorbar Pyllun on May 4, 2026. It applied for a KHADC trading licence on May 18. Later, it sought another NOC from the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on July 16 and received a response on July 28.
KHADC issued a show-cause notice on August 27, and the contractor submitted a reply. Another NOC followed on September 28 from the Dorbar Myntri of San Kur and 11 Kur of Riat Laban Mylliem.
However, the trading licence application remained under process. KHADC has maintained that the contractor must meet the necessary requirements before proceeding with the project. The council’s position has added to the legal and administrative questions surrounding the proposed ropeway.
Environmental Concerns and Local Opposition
Beyond the licensing dispute, the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project has faced objections from groups concerned about land arrangements, public consultation and environmental protection.
One major concern involves Lum Shyllong and its water catchment. Kurbah said officials had addressed these concerns during a meeting at the State Convention Centre, where they presented details of the project. She also stated that Lum Shyllong lies approximately 3.15 kilometres from the proposed ropeway site.
Furthermore, the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation had engaged with local traditional institutions. Kurbah said consultations with the Dorbars of Raid Laban and the lower terminal area took place in 2022, when no objections were raised.
However, opposition to the project continues. The Joint Action Committee opposing the ropeway met the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on October 28. It sought the cancellation of sanads granted to headmen involved in land lease arrangements for the project.
These concerns highlight the need for continued engagement with local institutions as the authorities address outstanding permissions and environmental questions.
What Happens Next in the Shillong Ropeway FIR?
The police investigation will now examine the circumstances surrounding the site sealing and the allegations raised in the complaint. Meanwhile, the dispute over the contractor’s trading licence remains a key obstacle to resolving the disagreement.
The proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project carries an estimated cost of Rs 151 crore. It aims to connect Madan Laban with the Shillong Peak viewpoint. Funding includes Rs 80.89 crore from the New Development Bank and Rs 70.11 crore through the Centre’s PM-DevINE scheme.
The government has not announced a suspension of the project, and officials have said construction has not begun. However, the continuing disagreement between the state government and KHADC could affect progress until the outstanding issues receive attention.
Overall, the Shillong ropeway FIR marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute. The next steps will depend on the police inquiry, the licensing process and discussions among the authorities and local stakeholders.