Shillong, June 3: The news of a ropeway project, connecting far-flung corners of the Meghalaya, has created a lot of excitement among the denizens. Though the plan is nothing new, the announcement by the public works department minister Mukul Sangma last evening, about the decision to start the project, has given rise to fresh hopes among the people.
Sangma said the detailed project report would be submitted this month.
The PWD minister said this morning that the ropeway project would connect villages and areas in and around Mawmih (under Ri Bhoi district) situated atop the beautiful Barapani (Umiam) Lake, to Shillong. In West Garo Hills a similar ropeway would be built from Rangira to Gambagre over the magnificent Pelga Falls.
“The idea is to make travel easier and faster for people living in inaccessible areas, but it would also help promote tourism,” Sangma said, adding, “We are ready with the plan and now all that remains is execution of the project.”
Not too many have had a chance to catch an aerial glimpse of the “Scotland of the East” (as Shillong is popularly known) and other parts of the state. Road transport has been the only means of a sightseeing trip across the state. The three-day chopper service from Shillong to Tura is not economically viable for most.
“We do not want to sit on the project as it has been a long-felt need. It will be one of the many projects the department would take up to bring about a real change in all forms of communication,” Sangma said.
Last evening he had announced “a new policy concept” for expanding the road network of the state.
Sangma said state-appointed consultants have suggested several ways to garner funds to initiate the ropeway project. One option is to ask the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to sanction loans, he added.
Though no estimates were spelt out, sources say the cost of building the two ropeways would run into a few crores of rupees.
The actual budget is expected to be announced once the cabinet gives its final approval to the project.
“We will have to first examine the interest rates. Only then can we commit ourselves. Even private institutions might be involved in the project provided they come up with a feasible action plan,” Sangma said, adding “It is totally a state government initiative.”
The other major road project that the state government is keen to initiate without delay is the four-lane expressway connecting Meghalaya with other expressways in the country. Sangma left for Delhi today to take up the proposal with the ministry of surface transport and ministers of the Northeast in Delhi.
“I will take up the matter with the authorities concerned and discuss it with our own ministers,” he said, while admitting that acquisition of land has been the main bottleneck in conceptualising the project.
“We have an alternative proposal to create a diversion from National Highway 40 which will connect the expressway from Khanapara through the industrial estate. The expressway will join the Shillong bypass near the Byrnihat bridge and run as far as National Highway 44 up to Agartala,” Sangma informed.