From Special Our Correspondent
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for water Resources Vincent H Pala has urged the Centre to align the upcoming rail lines in the Jaintia Hills in a feasible manner which will also be viable and useful to the Hill State.
In a presentation to the Railway Ministry, Pala on Tuesday said “there are broadly two latest new line for the state –Lyngkat- Umrangsoo-Sumer (Semasi) -Sakhain and Cachar Hills Area, Badarpur- Lokro to Umkiang via Kalain in the Jaintia Hills. “The first line will be easier and more beneficial and the second one will be very difficult because of hilly terrain and might even affect the fragile eco system of the region with vast reserve forest area,” he said.The first line has a “friendly terrain conditions,” Pala said adding that it is also close to mineral resources and habitations with better road connectivity.”With minor modifications the proposed link alignment could be Satunga(KhliehriatTeshil)-Pala/Umkyrpong- Lanka (on existing railway route), he added. “This line if taken up will not only help people of Meghalaya but also neighbouring states,” he said.Pala had met the Prime Minister, the UPA Chairperson and Railway Minister to pursue the matter.