Leading Edge Adventurers and Airparks Private Limited made a presentation in this regard before chief minister Mukul Sangma today. “Considering the problem of traffic congestion in the city and in the outskirts, we suggest the government explores alternative means of transport like metro cable system,” said Satish Pathania, managing director, Leading Edge Adventurers and Airparks Private Limited, Delhi.
Pathania said the company had successfully installed metro cable car systems in Venezuela and elsewhere.
The company has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nagaland government last year to start cable cars in Kohima for 9.8km at the cost of around Rs 388 crore.
Pathania said the cable cars, which run on electricity, would be eco-friendly. Moreover, it will also attract tourists. The chief minister after the presentation said congestion in Shillong, Jowai and Tura could be reduced if the state adopts this alternate means of public transport.
“We don’t want the people who visit the state to get discouraged by the perennial traffic congestion in parts of the city and its outskirts,” Sangma said.
“We will examine the option put forward by Leading Edge Adventurers and if we are satisfied we will ask them to submit a feasibility study before finalising the project,” Sangma said.
The chief minister said the project would be executed on a private-public partnership with the co-ordination of the transport department. The chief minister also said he had already ordered an inquiry into the incident of traffic congestion along NH 40 in the first week of May. Chief secretary W.M.S. Pariat had been asked to assign the inquiry to a principal secretary.
Foreign delegation: Ambassador of Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek and ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria Borislav Kostov, called on the chief minister to assist in tapping potential in agriculture and education sectors in Meghalaya. Sangma said the delegation, which also includes Israel, wants to associate with other northeastern states to provide expertise in certain fields including agriculture.
Cyclone aid
Sangma today promised aid to the cyclone-affected villages of West Garo Hills.
Two major cyclones over the past few days have wreaked havoc, damaging houses, crops and orchards. The people of Dalu and Selsella are the worst affected. The cyclone also disrupted power supply.
“I had a discussion with the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills. Preliminary steps have already been taken to provide relief to the affected families,” Sangma said.
