Rail, air travel still a far cry for citizens

SHILLONG: Shillong with its immense tourism potential is yet to have railways and aerial connectivity due to local resistance despite efforts made by the state government to push for the vital projects.
Speaking to mediapersons recently, Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent Pala, said, “It is sad that the railway project could not materialise in Meghalaya though Rs 4000 crore was sanctioned for the project.” The MP, however, said that he had no regrets about the projects not taking off in the state, saying that “he has done his job and if people of the state do not want railways, he cannot enforce it on the people of the state as this goes against the spirit of Democracy.”
Pressure groups in Meghalaya have been vehemently opposing introduction of railways in Ri Bhoi fearing large scale influx.
The proposed railway project connecting Tetelia in Assam with Byrnihat has been abnormally delayed while another project to bring Shillong on the country’s railway map is in cold storage pending NOC from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
Meanwhile, Pala also said that he had made efforts to make the Shillong Airport at Umroi operational but ‘somebody’ went to the Court and the land acquisition process for expansion of the airport was delayed. “Work is, however, going on now,” he added.