Ampareen assures State Govt help for railways
SHILLONG: Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain on Tuesday allayed fears that railways would lead to influx in Meghalaya, a concern that has led to pressure groups opposing two central projects.
Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of the DigiDhan mela in the city on Tuesday, Gohain said land belonging to indigenous people in the State is safeguarded by the Sixth Schedule and that “stopping such a big (railway) project for influx is not right”.
The Union Minister, to corroborate his point, said people visit Meghalaya as tourists, which is not influx. Instead, he said, the railways would lead to an upward trend in the tourist footfall.
When asked about the opposition by pressure groups, Gohain said he has discussed the matter with State Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who assured that the Government would extend all possible help to the Railway Ministry and called for talks on the projects with Ministry officials.
He also said that there are instances of local women marrying Bangladeshi immigrants leading to influx citing the case of Nagaland.
According to Gohain, there is a village in Nagaland where Bangladeshis are in majority. The village came up after a Bangladeshi married a Naga girl. Marriage is their right and their own personal matter, he said.
“We should not stop development and we should move forward as the North East is lagging behind (other parts of the country) in terms of development and I request all to allow the railway projects for the benefit of the people in Meghalaya,” the Minister said.
The Centre, which has plans to boost connectivity in the region, has proposed to lay tracks connecting Tetelia-Byrnihat and Byrnihat-Shillong. However, the pressure groups in the State are demanding that the Government set up entry and exit points before giving a go-ahead to the projects, which have been delayed for over two decades now.
“As soon as the Meghalaya Government gives us land, we will start work,” said Gohain, adding that last year Rs 300 crore was sanctioned by the Ministry for Railways but the fund has not been utilised.
In the current financial year too, the State has received Rs 300 crore, said Gohain, who was optimistic that railways would further develop tourism and help in the growth of the economy.
“Railway is the need of the hour for the entire population of Meghalaya,” he said and added that survey for another railway project from Sabarmuk to Jowai is on and it will be sanctioned soon.