By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even as the Central Government plans to connect all the north-eastern states by railways within 2017, Meghalaya may find it difficult to see it through with slow progress in setting up of railway link here.
The Government has drawn up an elaborate plan to develop railway infrastructure in the State to connect it with other states of the country. However, nothing concrete has evolved to bring the railway head to the State so far.
There is a proposal for a railway line from Dudhnoi to Mendipather, Tetelia to Byrnihat, Byrnihat to Shillong, Shillong to Chandrapur besides others.
A big question which arises is whether these plans would ever be materialised as there is strong protest from NGOs to connect the state with railway head.
A preliminary survey for the Byrnihat Shillong project was started but however it was stalled due to stiff opposition from NGOs protesting the move.
“Officers have been entrusted and negotiations are being held besides the land acquisition process is also on for the project,” Transport Minister AT Mondal told reporters here on Monday.
When contacted, the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district M Kharmujai maintained that the survey for the Byrnihat-Shillong project has not yet started while Tetelia-Byrnihat survey is likely to start within a few weeks.
The KSU has been opposing the move to set up railways in the State fearing that it would result in large-scale influx of illegal migrants into the State.
The KSU has maintained that there is a need to put a check on large-scale influx into the State after which the NGO can think of “allowing” the railway head.
