SHILLONG, JUL 31: UDP leader and former Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Friday came out in strong defence of the Shillong Ropeway Project, asserting that it was a community-driven initiative that has secured all necessary approvals and will serve both tourists and local farmers.
Addressing the media, Lyngdoh said the proposal originated from residents of the area.
“Let us not forget that this project was also a major initiative and request made by the Raid Laban Pyllun, which we believe is a conglomeration of all Dorbar Shnong of that area,” he said.
He credited local MLA Sanbor Shullai for supporting the project, and noted its employment impact.
“The project was also proactively supported by the elected representative of that area, Sanbor Shullai. And once work started on the ground, a lot of local masons and residents of Lawsohtun were engaged in labour,” Lyngdoh added.
Questioning the sudden opposition after two-and-a-half years, he said: “Now for somebody to realise after two and a half years that this is bad, I don’t understand the logic of it all. I don’t know about the agenda behind the opposition.”
Lyngdoh said the ropeway is designed to cut travel time and aid agriculture.
“Please rest assured that this is a project that is going to benefit not just tourists. It is not only going to facilitate speedy movement of tourists, but also those farmers will be able to ferry their produce in a record time of 3 minutes from the base to the top of Shillong Peak,” he said.
Calling it a landmark project, Lyngdoh compared it to international models.
“It is going to be the first of its kind in the country in a hill station. And the model adopted is equivalent to what we have in the Alps in Switzerland. And if a project of that scale had had any negative effect on the Alps, we would have known by now,” he said.On public criticism, he remarked: “So, you will always have critics. And the problem with a lot of people is that they first close their minds and after that they open their mouth.”
Referring to complaints about monkeys, Lyngdoh said the issue predates the project.
“I have watched the comments. One local resident has stated, ‘I stay in this area and these monkeys have been pestering us for 15 years.’ So how do you put the blame on the ropeway project?” he asked.He further stressed that the project has full central clearance.
“Each document was forwarded to the ministry, which is why it has finally received the stamp of approval of the Ministry of Forest and Environment,” he said.
Citing the presence of the President of India at the launch, Lyngdoh said due process was followed.
“It is not a matter of joke that a ministry of that calibre agreed to the proposal and then invited the first citizen of the country. Do you think the President of India would not have got everything cross-checked so that her name will not be dragged into controversy? How would she benefit if this project were to smash her name and her stature as President of India?”
By Our Reporter
