SHILLONG, June 30: The work on the much-anticipated Shillong Ropeway Project is likely to start by November this year and, if not affected, may take around three years to be completed.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Friday informed that the state government may issue the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the project by August this year.
Once up and running, the project, according to Lyngdoh, may bring a huge opportunity for the state on the tourism front.
He added that the state government is also expecting a promising leap in the number of tourists following the operationalisation of the project
As far as improving connectivity in Meghalaya is concerned, the minister said that a feasibility report is being prepared on the expansion of the Shillong Airport while identification of a new site for the Airport is also on.
It may be mentioned that the state Cabinet had, in September last year, approved the first passenger ropeway project in the state to be constructed from terminal point at Madan Laban towards Lumparing and to Shillong Peak at a cost Rs 138 crore.
To pave the way, the State Cabinet had approved the Meghalaya Ropeway Bill, 2022, a framework on how applications for ropeways can be made, what procedures must be followed, the different bodies that will be accountable to grant required licenses and permissions and the safety aspect.