SHILLONG, June 27: After years of being stalled by legal hurdles and environmental clearances, the Rs 151-crore Shillong Ropeway project has entered a high-pressure one-year countdown to completion, bringing the controversial link between Lawsohtun and the State’s highest peak back into the spotlight.
The project, which faced significant delays and scrutiny from the High Court, is now targeted for completion by late 2025. During an inspection of the site on Saturday, South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai was briefed by the implementing agency on the current construction timeline.
To address environmental concerns regarding the loss of green cover along the sensitive Shillong range, the project includes a mitigation plan where 10 trees are to be planted for every one felled. This compensatory afforestation was a key requirement in securing the necessary clearances to proceed with the work.
Once operational, the ropeway is expected to provide a critical alternative to the heavily congested roads of Upper Shillong. By connecting Lawsohtun directly to Shillong Peak, the project aims to streamline tourist traffic and establish a new transit route for the state’s most visited landmark.
The centrally funded project was reviewed as part of an infrastructure inspection to assess the progress of major developmental works in the Khasi Hills.
