By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Though Meghalaya conceived a dream of having a railway line way back, nothing has been done in this regard till date in order to bring the state into the railway map of the country. This is the scenario expect for the Dudhnoi-Mendipathar railway line which has managed to see the light of the day.
Leaving apart the Byrnihat-Shillong railway project, even the Tetelia-Byrnihat project has not made much progress due to stiff opposition from different NGOs. NGO opposition has hampered work progess concerning the projects.
Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Akashdeep said that negotiations are continuously on with the people who are opposing the project for different reasons.
It may be mentioned that even the Joint Action Committee comprising the representatives of the Lum Nongrim village, Ranghona and Byrnihat Sport Association are demanding a change in the alignment of the railway line.
The JAC has declined the offer of the State Government to construct the model village for those displaced families from Ranghona and Lum Nongrim village who will be affected due to the alignment of the BG Railway.
According to Akashdeep, the alignment survey of the project has been done for the project.
After many difficulties Ri-Bhoi district administration has started the acquisition process for the railway project in the State but it is facing a major hurdle.
A portion of the Lum Nongrim village will also be affected if the railways alignment survey of 2008 is implemented. According to the alignment survey of 2008, the railway tracks will pass by the football ground of the Byrnihat Sports Association (BSA), then traverse through portions of Lum Nongrim village and through the hills to Ronghona village.
The 2.5 kilometers of the Tetelia-Byrnihat project falls under Meghalaya.