By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 8: Amid the stalemate over railway projects, the TMC on Saturday suggested to the state government to talk to people “from the bottom” and tell them why the state needs goods trains.
The party said the government should be able to explain to them the benefits of introducing goods trains.
“(The introduction of) passenger trains had been met with a lot of opposition in the past decade. There is a proposition cutting across party lines that goods trains would have been a better option to reduce the burden of overpricing (of essential commodities). Also, the export of goods will boost the state’s economy,” TMC state vice president George B Lyngdoh said.
“But such a proposition will be better if it comes through a ‘bottom-up’ approach where people are consulted and there is clarity on the benefits of mass transportation,” he added.
Talking about the proposal to explore parts of East Jaintia Hills for railway connectivity, Lyngdoh said it has to be first ascertained whether the proposal has come from the people or the government.
According to him, if it has come from the government, it remains to be seen whether people will accept it. He said it is also to be seen what kind of railway plan will be introduced. “We leave it to the government. We have to understand that Meghalaya has always taken people on board while considering important projects,” the TMC leader said.
The pressure groups stand opposed to the introduction of railway projects in the state. They want the government to first come up with a mechanism, such as Inner Line Permit, to check the influx of illegal migrants, and then talk about railways.