SHILLONG: A Garo organisation has requested the Centre to expand railway connectivity from Mendipathar and add more long-distance trains to the time table.
In a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, the A’Chik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum has said there must at least one train connecting Mendipathar railway station to New Delhi as this would “stir a sense of connectivity with the national capital”.
The demand is in contrast to the Khasi Hills pressure groups who have stalled the railway project in Ri Bhoi.
“The government should consider development of railway infrastructure in this region… by providing more trains to this railway station. One freight carrier train should also be allotted… for industrial development. The freight carrier will transport coal from the dumping yard at Mendipathar railway station,” the forum said, adding that this would help in generating revenue and jobs.
Mendipathar railway station was the first and is the only railway station in Meghalaya. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi November 30, 2014. Mendipathar-Guwahati passenger is the only train from the station.
