Correspondent
Shillong, Nov 10 (NPN): The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Tuesday reiterated that its indefinite sit-in will continue until the Meghalaya government completely abandons the Rs 151 crore Shillong ropeway project.
The anti-ropeway demonstration entered its fifth day on Tuesday as women-led groups maintained their peaceful protest outside the U Kiang Nangbah statue in the state capital.
The project, which features a 913-metre ropeway line funded by the New Development Bank and the Central Government under the PM-DevINE scheme, is designed to utilise a monocable gondola configuration connecting Madan Laban to an upper terminal near the Shillong Viewpoint.
The protest has drawn intervention from various stakeholders, including Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (The Forum of Women’s Organisations) which has formally written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, urging him to initiate immediate dialogue with the protesting JAC.
With the agitation gaining significant momentum, Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai has convened a meeting on Wednesday with local stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed ropeway venture.
Shullai, who is the chairman of the South Shillong advisory committee, will chair the meeting to seek views and suggestions from local headmen’s and various organisations on the implementation of the ropeway project at Madan Laban.
However, the JAC stated that it is yet to take a final call on whether to participate in the meeting convened by Shullai, noting that its core committee will meet to deliberate on the matter.
“What is the point in going for the talks when the government won’t scrap the project, just to go there and argue,” JAC General Secretary, Dr. Linda Marbaniang said. She reiterated the committee’s resolve to continue with the peaceful agitation until the project is scrapped, maintaining that the venture poses a direct threat to the vital water sources and catchment areas of U Lum Shyllong.
However, Marbaniang remained hopeful that South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai would intervene and persuade the government to abandon the project for the greater good of the people.
Last week, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had ruled out rolling back the Shillong Ropeway project, stating that it has secured all mandatory environmental clearances.
He emphasised that signed agreements cannot be reversed at this stage.