Shillong ropeway project: Work expected to begin in Dec this year

Work for the ambitious Shillong ropeway project is expected to begin by December this year, Meghalaya Tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh said today.

“We will start the tendering process by August. Hopefully by December we should be able to start work on the ground and it will take us two or two years plus to complete it,” Lyngdoh said adding that during his recent visit to Switzerland he met government representatives and discussed issues related to the construction and operation of the Shillong ropeway project and tapping Switzerland’s expertise in implementing ropeway projects.

“We got an invitation from the Switzerland government. We conveyed to them that we would like to implement this project based on European standards,” the minister added.

The Minister mentioned that the Shillong ropeway project to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore will be one of the largest cable car systems in the entire Northeast. The Minister is expecting heavy footfall once the ropeway is operational. The project is being funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Meghalaya Cabinet had, in September last year, approved the first passenger ropeway project in the state to be constructed from Lawsohtun to Shillong Peak at a cost of Rs 138 crore.