SHILLONG: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Shillong Ropeways Project has called for a major public protest march on October 17, 2026, escalating its opposition after talks with the Tourism Department failed to address core concerns.
The JAC, representing local communities, argues that the government is prioritizing commercial tourism over basic civic needs, insisting, “We need water, not a ropeway.”
JAC Secretary Dr. Linda Marbaniang said the group is demanding an immediate suspension of the ₹151-crore ropeway project, which is funded by the New Development Bank and DoNER under the PM-DevINE scheme.
She criticized large-scale tree felling at Lum Shyllong, linking it to a 60% decline in precipitation and ongoing water shortages in Shillong.
Residents warn that the ropeway’s construction threatens to destroy water sources, wildlife habitats, and the local ecosystem, risking long-term ecological damage.
The JAC also accused the government of bypassing mandatory public hearings and keeping citizens uninformed, with public awareness only rising after tree felling began and a PIL temporarily halted work.
The protest march will begin at 10:00am from Last Stop Laban and end at the Sericulture Farm site, as the JAC urges the administration to prioritize water infrastructure and environmental protection over tourism development.
(4FrontMedia news)
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