All entry-exit points to cost Rs 1,000 crore

SHILLONG: The state government informed that the entry and exit points will be set up in a phase manner as at least Rs 1,000 crore is needed to make all the entry-exit points functional.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said at the special session of the Assembly on Tuesday that though the government wanted the entry and exit points to come up at the earliest, it is financially challenging task.
“Massive finance is involved. Rs 1000 crore is needed if we start all the entry and exit points. Hence, we are going in a phase-wise manner,” Sangma said.
He added that to prepare the land for the entry point in Ri Bhoi alone, the government is expecting an expenditure of Rs 125 crore.
Besides, the setting up of entry and exit point got delayed due to the land acquisition process.
The government is close to finishing the land acquisition in many locations, he added.
“We are going to plan in such a manner so that some entry/exit points can start. High traffic zones and critically important locations which are vulnerable will be taken up first,” Sangma said.
Mendipathar visit
He said a committee which is not an official one headed by Deputy Chief Minister , Home Minister and Urban Affairs Minister will visit Mendipathar railway station to set up entry-exit points.
After a detailed discussion with Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, Sangma said the Union Minister agreed to provide space in the railway station to set up entry/exit point.
Sangma said the 19th mile location in Ri Bhoi was initially decided and the probable cost for land acquisition was at Rs 13 crore which has gone up to Rs 25 crore which he said is a big concern for the government.
The point at 18th mile is at Rs 6 crore.
For the entry-exit points in Ri-Bhoi, the amount released and sanctioned is Rs 5.5 crore, in West Khasi Hills (Rs 1.2 crore), East Jaintia Hills (Rs 63 lakh) and South West Garo Hills (Rs 75 lakh).
Sangma said the government is serious about the issue.
Congress MLA Mayralborn Syiem said the entry and exit points have till date not become a reality. He said there should not be any politics or individual interests when it comes to the agenda of entry/exit point.
Another Congress MLA George Lyngdoh urged the government to move forward with 1-2 entry and exit points within the next few months.