From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: Unhappy over the railway route as per the 2008 survey, the Byrnihat Sports Association (BSA) has expressed strong opposition to the proposed acquisition of land for the BG Railway Line from Tetelia (Assam) to Byrnihat (Meghalaya). Making its ground clear, the Association said that the railway alignment passes through its playground which has belonged to the sports body since 1988.
“Being the only the playground in Byrnihat, all the sporting activities of the area take place here. Hence it is not possible for us to part with the ground,” the BSA informed in a letter addressed to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner.
The letter further stated that in the meeting held between the headmen, BSA chairman and the additional DC Nongpoh the adverse effects of the proposed railway line passing through their lands was discussed.
“We had also offered a new railway line which will be beyond the playground and the village of Lum Nongrim and Ronghona,” the BSA said. “However, the request has been ignored”, the BSA added. The Association urged the DC to change the alignment of the railway line so as to save the playground which is being utilized by 25 clubs from Umling to Umtyrnga.
The opposition from the BSA comes as another setback to the district administration which after much difficulty had started the process of land acquisition last month.
