Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project
SHILLONG: The Ri Bhoi district administration has handed over 29.03 hectares of land to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) for the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project.
Informing this on Sunday, Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Pooja Pandey said that the land was handed over in November and “now the ball is in the NFR’s court”.
The survey of the project has been completed and compensation to the villagers who had parted with their land had been paid.
Out of the 21.5-km Tetelia-Byrnihat rail line, only 2.5 kilometers of the project fall under Meghalaya.
Several pressure groups in the past had opposed the railway project in the State fearing that extending rail services in the State would invite large-scale influx.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 430.33 crore.
Only a few days back Meghalaya found place on the country’s rail map when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a passenger train from Mendipathar to Guwahati.
The KSU, which has been opposing introduction of railways in the state, recently said that they would welcome railways in Meghalaya provided Government comes up with a full proof mechanism to check influx in the state.
In response, the State Transport Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that the Government would ensure a tight mechanism to check influx in railway stations.
