TURA: A proposal for an additional train with an AC coach from Mendipathar station in North Garo Hills all the way to Kamakhya station in Guwahati has been given to the North-East Frontier Railways during its 92nd meeting of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee held at Maligaon on Thursday.
Parliamentary Secretary and Rajabala MLA Ashahel D Shira, while representing the State government, gave the proposal to Deputy General Manager in charge of NF Railways, K. Singson, during the railway meet.
In his presentation, Shira sought two numbers of passenger trains from Mendipathar to Kamakhya with a provision for AC coaches.
He also called for the setting up of a PRS and a multifunctional complex at Mendipathar.
In his speech Shira pointed out the importance of the railway network particularly for a landlocked state like Meghalaya. He said the expansion of the railway network with the required facilities would economically help the people of Garo Hills and ease travel.
In a reply to the presentation, NFR officials acknowledged Shira’s proposal for more amenities for Mendipathar and gave an official statement mentioning that justification from the commercial side would be reviewed for additional introduction of a train with AC coach.
During the daylong meeting representatives from the governments of Nagaland, Manipur and other Northeastern states also took part and gave their side of the presentations for their respective states.
Shira pointed out that complaints have dogged the Public Reservation System (PRS) with the public and the local MLA of Mendipathar complaining that many a times the railway server is either down or there is a shortage of manpower. He urged upon the railway authorities to look into this pressing problem.
