Gohain blames state govt for rly deadlock

SHILLONG: Union Minister Rajen Gohain has blamed the Congress-led state government for the stalling of the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project.
Speaking to media persons here on the sidelines of the Sankalp se Siddhi programme here on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Railways said neither did the state government take interest in building rail connectivity nor does it realise the benefits of railways.
“I don’t understand why they have stopped the railways when the project, apart from boosting tourism sector, will bring employment for lakhs of local people. Even farmers will be able to import and export their produces at ease,” he added.
Gohain said officials in the Railway Ministry were continuously in talks with the Meghalaya government, which says many things but does nothing. “If the government had undertaken land acquisition, the project would have moved way ahead but it’s stuck now,” he added.
Hinting at BJP’s coming to power in Meghalaya, the minister said the new government next year “will definitely take keen interest in connecting Meghalaya with railways”.