By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even though there is stiff opposition to the Byrnihat-Shillong railway project by prominent NGOs of the State, the other proposed railway project from Tetelia to Byrnihat has, so far, not been hit by any major stumbling block.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Saturday about the current status of the Tetelia-Shillong railway line, Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, Akash Deep, said that the alignment for the project has been completed.
“Now we are doing the detailed land survey for the project which will be completed soon,” Akash Deep said.
It may be mentioned that only 2.5 kilometer of the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line would fall under Meghalaya.
According to Akash Deep, once the detailed land survey is completed, the State Government would prepare the estimate and send it to the Ministry of Railways.
“We hope that the project would take off in the next three to four months,” he added.
It may be noted that two other railway projects in the State (Byrnihat-Shillong railway project and the Lanka-Sutnga rail project in Jaintia Hills) have been facing stiff opposition from NGOs who have been demanding implementation of the work permit system in the State and strong anti-influx stand by the government fearing large-scale entry of migrant population into the State.
Earlier this week, a meeting between the State Government with the NGOs over the proposed rail project till Shillong city failed to arrive at any consensus over implementation of the Byrnihat-Shillong railway project.
On the other hand, the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) is opposing the Lanka-Sutnga railway line since they believe that it would encourage influx into the State.