Meghalaya govt files FIR against KHADC inspector over Shillong ropeway site sealing
Synopsis
In a rare move, the Meghalaya government has filed an FIR against a KHADC inspector for sealing the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project's lower terminal site at Lawsohtun — escalating a long-running dispute between state authority and autonomous council power. With community opposition also intensifying through traditional institutions, the New Development Bank-funded project faces mounting legal and political uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
The Meghalaya government filed an FIR at Laban Police Station against a KHADC inspector for allegedly sealing the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project site at Lawsohtun on Tuesday .
Tourism Commissioner R.M.
Kurbah stated that only preparatory work — soil testing, ground levelling, approach road development — was underway, not full construction.
The contractor secured multiple NOCs from traditional bodies between May and September 2026 and a work order was issued on 25 October 2025 .
The project is funded by the New Development Bank and involves six ropeway pillars ; the site is approximately 3.15 km from Lum Shyllong .
The Joint Action Committee opposing the project met the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday , demanding cancellation of land-lease sanads granted to headmen.
No arrest had been made as of 29 October 2026 ; police investigation is ongoing.
The Meghalaya government has lodged a formal complaint against an inspector of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for allegedly sealing the lower terminal site of the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project at Lawsohtun, officials confirmed on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The FIR was filed at Laban Police Station after the site was locked on Tuesday, triggering a fresh flashpoint in the long-running dispute over the project.
What the Government Said
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary R.M. Kurbah defended the project, stating that the land belongs to the government and that activities at the site were restricted to preparatory work. A temporary camp was being set up to facilitate soil testing, approach road development, and ground levelling, all in line with environmental and social safeguards prescribed by the New Development Bank, which is funding the project.
Kurbah clarified that construction had not commenced at either the lower terminal or at the proposed locations of the ropeway's six pillars. She also rejected allegations that work had begun without the requisite clearances, calling them factually incorrect.
Clearance Timeline and Due Process
According to Kurbah, the work order was issued to the contractor on 25 October 2025 following due procedure. The contractor obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Dorbar Pyllun on 4 May 2026 before applying for a KHADC trading licence on 18 May 2026.
The contractor subsequently sought an NOC from the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on 16 July, receiving a response on 28 July. The KHADC issued a show-cause notice on 27 August, which the contractor duly answered. A further NOC was obtained from the Dorbar Myntri of San Kur and 11 Kur of Riat Laban Mylliem on 28 September, even as the licensing process remained underway.
Kurbah added that the Meghalaya Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation had consulted traditional institutions, including discussions with the Dorbars of Raid Laban and the lower terminal area as far back as 2022. She also addressed concerns over Lum Shyllong and its water catchment, noting that the site is approximately 3.15 km from the proposed ropeway location.
Opposition and Demands for Cancellation
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee opposing the project met the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday, demanding cancellation of the sanads granted to headmen who entered into land lease arrangements for the project. The committee's intervention signals that community resistance remains organised and is now escalating through traditional governance channels.
No arrest had been made as of Thursday, with police confirming that an investigation into the sealing incident is underway.
What Happens Next
The FIR marks a significant escalation — a state government directly taking legal action against an autonomous council's functionary is rare in Meghalaya's governance landscape. The outcome of the police investigation, alongside the KHADC's licensing decision, is likely to determine whether preparatory work can resume or faces further legal hurdles. The project's financing from the New Development Bank adds an international dimension that could raise the stakes if delays persist.
Point of View
But it also signals the council's assertion that its licensing jurisdiction was bypassed. What is missing from the official account is a clear answer to why preparatory work began while KHADC licensing remained 'underway' — a gap the opposition is exploiting. With New Development Bank money and an international financing timeline in play, the state cannot afford prolonged legal attrition, but neither can it bulldoze a governance structure that carries constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Meghalaya file an FIR against the KHADC inspector?
The Meghalaya government filed the FIR at Laban Police Station because a KHADC inspector allegedly sealed the lower terminal site of the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project at Lawsohtun without authority. Officials say the land belongs to the government and that only preparatory work — not construction — was underway at the time.
Has any arrest been made in the Shillong ropeway FIR case?
No arrest had been made as of Thursday, 29 October 2026. Police at Laban Police Station confirmed that an investigation into the site-sealing incident is ongoing.
What is the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project?
The Shillong Peak Ropeway Project is a proposed ropeway infrastructure development in Meghalaya, with its lower terminal located at Lawsohtun. It is being funded by the New Development Bank and involves six ropeway pillars; preparatory work includes soil testing, ground levelling, and approach road development.
What clearances does the ropeway project have?
According to Tourism Commissioner R.M. Kurbah, the contractor received a work order on 25 October 2025 and subsequently obtained NOCs from the Dorbar Pyllun (4 May 2026), applied for a KHADC trading licence (18 May 2026), sought an NOC from the Syiem of Hima Mylliem (July 2026), and obtained an NOC from the Dorbar Myntri of San Kur and 11 Kur of Riat Laban Mylliem on 28 September 2026.
Who is opposing the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project and why?
The Joint Action Committee is the principal organised opposition to the project. It met the Syiem of Hima Mylliem on Wednesday, demanding cancellation of the sanads granted to headmen who signed land lease arrangements for the ropeway. Critics have also raised concerns about the project's proximity to Lum Shyllong and its potential impact on the area's water catchment.
