SHILLONG:
President Droupadi Murmu is likely to inaugurate the Meghalaya Games and lay the foundation stone for construction of the Shillong ropeway project over January 15 and 16.
Spokesperson of the government and Cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on Wednesday that the state government was, however, waiting for confirmation from the office of the President.
The Meghalaya Games will be held at Tura, West Garo Hills district from January 15 to 20.
Over 3,000 athletes will be competing in 22 disciplines. The state government is expected to spend over Rs 23 crore for the Games.
“…if the President of the country confirms her visits, which is likely to happen in the next 24 hours, we should also be in a position to invite her to lay the foundation stone of the iconic Shillong ropeway project,” Lyngdoh said.
Last year, the land-handing ceremony at the picturesque Shillong Peak for the first-of-its- kind ropeway project in the state, was held in presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The ropeway project to be set up on 1.34 hectares of land, is estimated to cost Rs 138 crore. This project comprises Lower Terminal Point (LTP) in existing Forest Nursery Rait Laban area to be built on 11146.96 sq. m at an altitude of 838 m above MSL and will be accommodating station building, concourse, maintenance room, ticket room -cum-office, store room, security room, waiting area, public convenience and parking area.
The Upper Terminal Point (UTP) has been proposed on a plot of community land on an area of 2025 sq. m at an altitude of 1633 m above MSL and will be accommodating similar facilities.
Other than these terminal points, there will be 9 towers built on an area of 251.17 sq.m.
Ropeways are Monocable Detachable Systems having fully enclosed Gondola with automatic doors. The ropeway alignment will be a single section and tourists coming to Shillong Peak Viewpoint can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Shillong town and the entire pristine beauty of nature from this ropeway alignment.