SHILLONG: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is keen to establish railway network in Garo Hills as people there are more welcoming than their counterparts in Khasi Hills where it has faced resistance to its projects from pressure groups.
NFR officials told The Shillong Times that people in Garo Hills are definitely more welcoming and hence the Railways is also keen to connect parts of Garo Hills.
They said plans were afoot to extend the railway from Mendipathar to Dalu along the foothills of Garo Hills.
“The state government needs to approach the Railways and if they do, we will definitely conduct necessary surveys and take up the project,” an official said.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya has only the 19.75 km Dudhnoi-Mendipathar railway line of which around 9 kilometers lie in the state.
Officials said that railway would be of great benefit for the people of Garo Hills as is evident in the case of the Mendipathar line which many traders and vendors from the region use to transport goods to Assam with ease.
Right now, the station is connected by the Guwahati – Mendipathar Passenger (Unreserved) which leaves Mendipathar in the morning and returns at night.
Officials also confirmed that the Railways has given permission to the state government to set up entry and exit point at the station. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is likely to inspect the station later this week.
The idea of extending railway in Garo Hills is taking shape while the railway project in Khasi Hills stagnates.
Officials said in a recent meeting, the chief minister did give positive response as far as resuming construction of the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway is concerned. Work on the line has remained stalled since the past couple of years due to opposition from the pressure groups.
“We have to approach and request the government time and again as long as the project is alive,” the official added.
NGOs in Meghalaya are opposing railway fearing that it would encourage large scale influx into the state while the government is hoping that the setting up of entry and exit points would address their concerns and ultimately the Railways would be allowed to resume work.