SHILLONG: Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation DV Sadananda Gowda has batted for introduction of railways in the state besides assuring that the Centre would intervene in the matter if required.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday after reviewing the project that was included in the Railway Budget 2010-11 as a National Project, Gowda said the railway would bring in more tourists here besides generating huge employment for local youths.
“After going back to New Delhi, I will get in touch with the nodal ministry and we will see what is required to be done by the Centre. I would also ask the Meghalaya chief secretary to expedite the whole process,” he said.
The minister observed that the potential of railways for development of the region is immense and the state government should resolve issues hampering the project after consultation with the aggrieved parties.
“We should all come together and resolve the issues and see how the state can be connected with railways after that,” he said.
According to Gowda, the deadline for the completion of the Rs 6,000-crore Byrnihat-Shillong railway project is 2020-2021 and he also assured that there will be no fund constraint because the Centre has declared it as a national project.
The government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for the project this year and had sanctioned Rs 245 crore for the 108-km project till Byrnihat last year.
While the Byrnihat-Shillong project is a distant dream, work on the Tetelia-Byrnihat project was going on. But it was halted following objections from the Khasi Students’ Union.
“A major portion of the 21-km railway project falls under Assam and it is complete,” the minister said.
The Centre has also sanctioned around Rs 250 crore for land acquisition and the State Government has acquired it.
