By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 12: The proposal for introduction of railways in East Jaintia Hills seems to have divided the political parties in the state into two diametrically opposite groups with some batting for goods trains while others asking the government to listen to the voice of the people who are against railways in Meghalaya without any provision to prevent influx.
The Congress and the BJP have pushed for goods train service saying it would propel the economy.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Vincent Pala spoke in favour of connecting Meghalaya with railways considering the fact that the state is facing issues of congestion, unemployment and price rise.
Maintaining that the government should create a balance between developmental aspects and the interests of the people, Pala said railways, highways, and airports are all for the development of the state and they should not be opposed by the NGOs since these projects will generate employment, bring down inflation and propel the state forward.
According to Pala, around 3,300 tonnes of cement is transported from the Jaintia Hills region to the rest of the country everyday through roads and in the availability of railways transportation of goods to other states would become easier.
He said Meghalaya has the highest deposit of limestone in Asia and the best quality coal in the world which can only be utilised with proper transport infrastructure.
BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said goods train should be introduced in the state not only till Byrnihat but till Shillong so as to ease the price of essential commodities.
Stating that the idea of connecting East Jaintia Hills with railways is not a new plan, Mawrie said the party welcomes the move but the government should take everyone on board since there are genuine concerns over influx.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi admitted that goods trains in East Jaintia Hills would help the people there in transporting coal.
However, railways without a mechanism to protect people from influx would be a problem, he said.
TMC state president Charles Pyngrope was direct in his opposition to the railway project saying that the entire section of the society, irrespective of the region, is against introduction of railways.
“Since the response of the people is negative, I think we should look to improve our road network. There are many countries which do not have railways. We need to improve other infrastructures like airports and roads,” Pyngrope said.
On the decision of the government to shift the railway project to Khliehriat, he said the question now is whether the people of East Jaintia Hills want the railway project or not.
“We know that the people of Khasi Hills are opposed to this project. All this has led to the abandonment of the project in Byrnihat. I think the wish of the people should prevail,” he added.
The TMC state president also noted that the opposition of the pressure groups to the railway line over fear of influx is valid.
JHADC Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat said the council has not received any official communication from the government on shifting of the railway project to Khliehriat.
“We will have to sit with the government and the various stakeholders once such communication comes to the council. We cannot take any decision without taking everyone on board on such a sensitive issue,” he said.