Transparency Demands Mount as Government Faces Criticism Over Shillong Ropeway Project
Shillong, Meghalaya – August 2, 2024
In a sharp rebuke to the government’s claims of a “delayed” opposition, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) has come out swinging, accusing the State Tourism Department of disregarding grassroots democracy in pushing the Shillong Ropeway Project. The JAC alleges that residents of Lum Shillong were neither informed nor invited to participate in decisions affecting their community.
A Case of Bypassed Democracy
The JAC’s allegations are centered around the Shillong Ropeway Project, which has been touted as a major tourist attraction. However, the committee claims that the project’s implementation has been shrouded in secrecy, with residents of Lum Shillong being kept in the dark about the project’s progress. The JAC has questioned why the Tourism Department and the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun failed to ensure stakeholder participation from the project’s inception.
A Lack of Transparency
The JAC has argued that informed public objection was impossible without prior disclosure. It was only after residents witnessed large-scale tree felling at the site that concerns began to intensify. The committee has reiterated its demand for accountability and adherence to due process in the project’s implementation. “Transparency is the cornerstone of any development project,” said a JAC spokesperson. “We cannot have the government pushing through projects without consulting the very people who will be affected by them.”
Government Defends the Project
Responding to the JAC’s allegations, West Shillong MLA and former Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has defended the project. Lyngdoh stated that all necessary statutory permissions and environmental clearances were obtained before work began. He also questioned why objections were surfacing more than two years after the project was initiated, noting that the foundation stone was laid by the President of India in January 2024.
Support from Local Leaders
Lyngdoh also pointed out that the project was launched following requests from the Riat Laban Dorbar and has the support of local MLA Sanbor Shullai. He further noted that the construction phase is already generating employment for local residents. While the government’s efforts to defend the project are understandable, the JAC’s concerns about transparency and accountability cannot be ignored.
A Battle for Accountability
The Shillong Ropeway Project has become a contentious issue in Meghalaya, with the JAC and the government locked in a battle for accountability. As the project moves forward, it remains to be seen whether the government will take the JAC’s concerns seriously or continue to push through with the project without consulting the affected communities. One thing is certain, however – the people of Lum Shillong will not be silenced.
A Call for Due Process
The JAC’s demands for transparency and accountability are not just limited to the Shillong Ropeway Project. The committee is calling for due process in the implementation of all development projects in Meghalaya. “We want to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and that their concerns are taken into account,” said the JAC spokesperson. “It’s time for the government to listen to the people and work towards a more inclusive and transparent development process.”
As the debate over the Shillong Ropeway Project continues, one thing is clear – the people of Meghalaya will not be ignored. The JAC’s demands for transparency and accountability are a reminder that development must be people-centric, and that the voices of the affected communities must be heard.