Meghalaya govt says water sources safe as 545 trees cut for Shillong Peak ropeway
Meghalaya officials said the ropeway alignment avoids key catchment areas as 545 trees were felled for the Shillong Peak ropeway project. Plantation and safety-
Meghalaya has reported that 545 trees were felled for the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project. The government said the work was carried out after completing the required statutory clearances.
Officials made the disclosure during a meeting and site inspection held on Saturday to address environmental concerns raised by local residents and Dorbars. The meeting included district administration officials, concerned government departments, and Dorbar representatives.
Alignment kept away from key catchment areas
Tourism Department Commissioner and Secretary R. M. Kurbah said the project alignment has been kept away from key catchment areas. She stated that the Patakhana and Wahingdoh water sources would not be affected by the construction, adding that there are no water sources close to the project site that would face harm.
The government also explained that the plan was changed after an initial design option. Ms. Kurbah said the earlier design envisaged a lower ropeway height, but it was later found that trees reaching about 25 metres could be affected. After this assessment, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was revised and the ropeway cable cars and stations were made taller to reduce tree cutting.
Plantation plan and safety review
Officials said large-scale plantation activities are being carried out as compensation for the trees cut for the ropeway. They added that additional trees would be planted if more land becomes available for plantation. On safety, officials stated that the ropeway design and safety standards have been reviewed by IIT Delhi and that construction will include technical measures such as ground stabilisation.
J. P. Singh, Resident Manager and Project Head of the construction company KEC-TCL, said safety will remain the top priority during construction. The project is Meghalaya’s first major passenger ropeway and is targeted for completion by 2028, though the construction company said it will try to finish earlier.
