By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State is far from realizing its railway dream even as the Government is continuously trying to convince the NGOs who are opposing the project in the State and Khasi Jaintia Hills in particular.
Talking to media persons here recently, Transport Minister AT Mondal said that the State Government is holding discussions with the NGOs to convince them about the merits of railways.
“We will look into their grievances,” he told reporters recently.
While the railways are set to enter Garo Hills by the Mendipathar and Dudhnoi railway line which is expected to be completed by March 2013, the railways project in Khasi Hills has not been able to make much progress.
The East Garo Hills district administration has handed over 65.09 hectares of land to NF Railways to start the project in September last year.
Leaving apart the Byrnihat-Shillong railway project, even the Tetelia-Byrnihat project has not made much progress due to stiff opposition from different NGOs though negotiations are continuously on with the people who are opposing the project for different reasons.
After many difficulties, the Ri-Bhoi district administration has started the acquisition process for the railway project in the State but is facing a major hurdle as the 2.5 kilometers of the Tetelia-Byrnihat project falls under Meghalaya.
According to Mondal, there are two-three railway projects which the Government is trying to make it through.
Some of the railway projects in the state are Tetelia-Byrnihat, Byrnihat-Shillong, Mendipathar-Dudhnoi, Jogigopa railway project through Southern slope of the state besides others.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma too had earlier asked people of the State to change their mindset towards the proposed rail project as the state has missed out on several opportunities because of the opposition to the setting up of railway line in the State.
