SHILLONG : The Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Shillong Ropeway Project has vowed to continue its agitation against the proposed ropeway at Lum Shyllong, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the project following the failure of talks with the Tourism Department on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Tourism Commissioner and Secretary RM Kurbah, ended without any agreement, prompting the JAC to reaffirm its decision to continue the protest.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, JAC secretary Dr Linda Marbaniang said the committee remained firm in its opposition and would not call off the agitation until its demand was addressed.
She stressed that Shillong’s pressing need was water rather than a ropeway at Lum Shyllong, which she said was important for the city’s catchment.
“People living in Shillong need water, not a ropeway at Lum Shyllong. If the government wants to build a ropeway, it should choose another location where it is needed. The need of the hour in Shillong is water,” she said.
Dr Marbaniang also expressed concern over the alleged felling of trees and damage to the catchment area, linking deforestation to the state’s rainfall deficit and the city’s growing water concerns.
She said residents of Laban Pyllun were worried about the long-term consequences for future generations, including access to water, fresh air, forest herbs and wildlife.
“We are appealing to the government to listen to us. Our children and future generations will suffer. Where will we get water and fresh air? What will happen to the herbs in our forests and the animals that depend on them? We do not want the ropeway there,” she said.
The JAC has announced a peaceful rally on October 17, starting from Last Stop in Laban and proceeding to the project site at Sericulture Farm. The committee has appealed to residents of Shillong to participate in the demonstration.
Dr Marbaniang said the rally would be conducted peacefully and urged participants to avoid any law-and-order problems.
She also questioned the process followed in taking up the project, alleging that residents had not been informed through a public hearing and were unaware of the work until they noticed trees being felled.
According to her, the work was halted for some time following the filing of a public interest litigation (PIL), but later resumed, prompting residents to intensify their opposition.
Raising further concerns about the environmental impact, she argued that deforestation could worsen rainfall and water availability, while pointing to the hotter conditions experienced in Shillong.
Meanwhile, Tourism Commissioner and Secretary RM Kurbah declined to brief the media when approached for comments on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting.
The JAC has reiterated that its agitation will continue until the proposed ropeway project at Lum Shyllong is withdrawn.