SHILLONG: The railways in Mendipathar in North Garo Hills is auguring well for local small-time traders and has not roused any concern over influx of illegal immigrants in North Garo Hills, said the district’s Deputy Commissioner, S.C Sadhu.
Sadhu’s remark comes at a time when the railway project to connect Byrnihat with Shillong has been delayed by recurring protests by pressure groups which claim that railway connectivity will lead to influx of migrants.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday, Sadhu said till now there are no grievances from the locals.
He, however, said police are usually deployed in the railway station for security checking when a train arrives.
While initially the number of people using the railways was less but with time it has increased, said Sadhu. He added that more than 100 people from the district avail themselves of the service to visit Guwahati and other parts of Assam.
“Small-time traders from the district use the train to take their produce to a bigger market like Guwahati at a cheaper transportation cost,” the deputy commissioner said.
He pointed out that reservation facility is not available and commuters have to buy general tickets.
Mendipathar railway station, which was inaugurated online by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 30, 2014, is the first and only railway station in Meghalaya.
Earlier, a line between Dudhnoi and Deepa was proposed in the Rail Budget 1992-93 but later alignment was changed to Dudhnoi-Mendipathar in 2007 due to opposition from locals.
