Guwahati: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has halted construction of the Shillong Peak Ropeway project, which is being developed from Madan Laban to Shillong Viewpoint, over the implementing company’s failure to obtain a trading licence from the council.
Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh said the decision was taken after the company allegedly failed to comply with repeated requests to secure the required licence.
Speaking to the media after ordering the closure of the construction site, Lyngdoh said the council had issued two show-cause notices to the company for carrying out work without a trading licence. The notices were served in May and September this year.
According to Lyngdoh, the company had responded to the notices by assuring the council that it would fulfil the requirements within seven to ten days. However, the company has yet to obtain a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the relevant authorities, which is required to apply for the trading licence.
“After we served the show-cause notices, they replied they will comply within seven to ten days to the requirements of the district council. But till date they have not obtained an NoC (no-objection certificate) from the authorities to apply for trading licence,” Lyngdoh said.
He added that the council would process the company’s application if all the necessary documents were submitted. However, he warned that the site would be sealed if the company failed to meet the requirements.
Lyngdoh said the action was intended to uphold the authority of the district council and set an example for other companies operating in the state.
“This is a clear message to all companies that they can’t just come and start working on the projects without obtaining a trading licence,” he said.
The CEM added that the council would not allow companies from outside the state to undertake projects without complying with its licensing requirements.