Shillong Ropeway Project Site Reopens After Authorities Remove KHADC-Imposed Locks

Authorities in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Wednesday reopened the lower terminal site of the Shillong Ropeway project after removing locks installed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) last week, amid a dispute over licensing requirements.

A team of magistrates, accompanied by police personnel, reached the project site at Madan Laban and removed the locks from the entrance gate and the office of the company executing the ropeway project.

"Magistrates of East Khasi Hills, accompanied by police personnel, removed the locks from the entrance gate and the office of the company executing the ropeway project at the Lower Terminal Point in Madan Laban," district authorities said.

Following the reopening, security personnel were deployed at the site to prevent any untoward incident and maintain law and order.

The KHADC had locked the premises on October 27, alleging that the company executing the project was operating without obtaining the mandatory licence from the autonomous district council.

The action had triggered a dispute over the functioning of the government-owned project and the Council's licensing requirements.

Earlier, the state's Tourism Department had lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against a KHADC inspector, accusing him of illegally sealing the premises of the government-owned ropeway project.

The latest action by district authorities has enabled the project site to reopen, although the underlying disagreement over the Council's licensing authority remains a point of contention.

The Shillong Ropeway project is a key tourism infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity and providing visitors with a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

The deployment of security personnel is intended to prevent further disruption at the site following the removal of the locks.