Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad Sangma unveiled the foundation stone of Shillong Ropeway Project at Shillong Peak on Wednesday. Shri Conrad K Sangma said that the Government was determined about the project from Day 1. He said, “This is something that Shillong City deserves.” The Hon’ble CM acknowledged the collaboration of the Dorbar Shnong of Riat Laban stating that it is a broad-minded approach and it is needed for success of government projects. He added, “Can you imagine the Dorbar will be receiving 1 crore of revenue every year? This is a very strong and powerful message of team work and also a very strong message of how tourism sector can make a difference in the local people’s lives.” The Hon’ble CM stated, “The dorbar will be getting a huge share of the revenue (from the tourism project at Shillong Peak).” He expressed optimism that the Dorbar will use this for the benefit of the youth, the society, locality, poor people living in the locality, adding that cooperation and collaboration between the community and the government will foster the growth of the tourism sector. Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Tourism Minister said, “This is also the cradle of Hima Shillong, the seat of ‘lei Shillong. Therefore, we are in the midst of the divine. Befittingly so, in the 150th aniversary of Shillong as the capital town. The capital town of Shillong was shifted from Sohra in 1874 and today is the best possible gift to the city of Shillong on its 150th year.” Shri Sanbor Shullai, said the ropeway is a long-pending project of the constituency. He acknowledged the hard work of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for materialising the project. The Hon’ble CM also handed letters of acceptance to KEC Company and POMA. A cheque of 1.5 crores was also handed over to the Rait Laban Doorbar Pyllun for the lease amount of the land About the Shillong Ropeway The passenger ropeway project has been proposed that will take tourist directly from the Lower Terminal Point located in Riat Laban near Madan Laban Nepali Secondary school, Laban Shillong City to the Upper Terminal Point near the Shillong Peak. The Lower Terminal Point will be the “drive” station and the Upper Terminal Point will be the “return” terminal. Both of these, stations shall also be developed to provide adequate space for comfortable boarding and de-boarding of passenger etc. and accommodate all other necessary passenger facilities. The system design is Monocable Detachable Gondola System and fully enclosed cabin with automatic doors. The length of the ropeway is 896 m and the Level Difference is 299 m. The capacity of the ropeway is 600 passenger per hour at a speed of 5m/second and the journey time is about 4 minutes. Shillong Peak Ropeway Project is an externally aided project funded by the New Development Bank under the Meghalaya Ecotourism infrastructure Development Project (MEIDP). Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared by RITES Limited and the cost of the project is Rs. 175.03 Crore. The project aims at promoting tourism and providing amenities for the tourists, the surroundings around the stations will also be beautifully landscaped along with the incorporation of public amenities such as cafeteria, vintage shops, kiosks, waiting rain shelters, public toilets, tea/coffee shops.