SHILLONG: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Shillong Ropeway Project has intensified its opposition, calling for inclusive public consultations and reconsideration of the ropeway’s location.
At a press conference on October 21, JAC Secretary Dr. Linda Marbaniang criticized the government’s decision to invite only Laban Pyllun residents to an October 22 briefing, labeling the move as divisive and inadequate for a project with citywide implications.
The JAC argued that the ropeway project affects critical infrastructure and natural resources—such as the Lum Shillong water supply, Umiam electricity, and the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme in Mawphlang—and insisted that water security must take precedence over tourism infrastructure.
The committee also questioned the exclusion of Lawsohtun and other key neighborhoods from formal discussions, urging the government to reschedule the meeting to a larger venue and invite stakeholders from across Shillong and surrounding areas.
Framing the defense of local water sources as a fundamental right, the JAC called on the state administration to respect public sentiment, halt current proceedings, and reconsider the ropeway’s viability and placement.
(4FrontMedia news)
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