SHILLONG: Buoyed by the success of the Mendipathar railway line connecting people of Garo Hills to Guwahati, North Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner W. Khyllep has batted for introduction of railways in the Meghalaya capital.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Khyllep said, “Shillong too should be connected with a rail line as it will benefit the people immensely.”
Incidentally, the deputy commissioner also pointed out that he did not find any influx after the introduction of the railway in Garo Hills.
“I have carried out inspection at Mendipathar railway station. I did not find any influx. There is a Railway Protection Force to check the antecedents of the people and also to ensure security,” Khyllep said, adding that proper monitoring can address the issue of influx.
According to the deputy commissioner, railways were not the only means through while influx may occur as people from outside can come in through other means.
The Mendipathar rail head, which falls under the new district of North Garo Hills, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 29 last year.
Khyllep observed that after the launch of daily train service to Guwahati and vice versa, people especially from the rural pockets have been taking full advantage of the rail service.
A passenger pays only Rs.30 as fare for the journey which covers a distance of 130 km, and compared to road travel, the train journey is more comfortable, Khyllep said.
A train leaves Mendipathar at 7 am daily and reaches Guwahati at 11 am and the same train leaves Guwahati at 6.10 pm on the same day to reach Mendipathar at 10 pm.
The deputy commissioner stated that at least 100 people travel between Guwahati and Mendipathar on a daily basis and added that there has been a steady increase in the number of passengers taking the rail route.
Though there is an ambitious plan on the part of the Centre to extend the rail line to Byrnihat and subsequently to Shillong, the move had not made any headway due to the opposition from pressure groups, who want the government to put in place adequate measures to address influx before initiating the rail project in Khasi Hills.
