By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 12: The state government on Wednesday said the study to explore the possibility of bringing railway line to Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills, will also address the concerns of various groups.
“Feasibility study itself means you first study the pros and cons, merits and demerits, so the fact that the government has announced they will conduct a feasibility study also means that concerns of the various groups will be addressed in that study,” Tourism Minister and MDA 2.0 spokesperson, Paul Lyngdoh, said.
Talking about the study, he said, “First, we have to make a very fine distinction between goods trains and passenger trains. We will also have to take the ecology into consideration, such as the impact on the ecosystem. We will also have to take into account factors like whether it will cause any imbalance in the population and encourage illegal immigration.”
“Those are four parameters that ideally should be a part of this study,” he added.
The proposed railway project has encountered opposition from the pressure groups in the state.
Just a day after Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the government’s decision to conduct a study to explore the possibility of bringing the railway line to Khliehriat, several pressure groups, including Khasi Students’ Union, Jaintia Students’ Union, Hynniewtrep Youth Council and Jaintia Students’ Movement, have toughened their stand and stated that they would oppose any move to introduce railways in East Jaintia Hills.
The JSU has already voiced its opposition, stating that it would allow railways only if the ILP is granted to prevent influx.
The KSU East Jaintia Hills district unit submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, clearly outlining its stand that it will not welcome the railway project unless effective anti-influx mechanisms are put in place by Government of India.
The Meghalaya People’s United Front, East Jaintia Hills District Union also spoke against the railway proposal in the district and said the government should focus on ILP.
The organisation submitted a letter to the DC of East Jaintia Hills in this regard. It said the introduction of railways would lead to the influx of outsiders.
“It would be better if the state government first concentrate on the implementation of ILP to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants from neighboring countries like Bangladesh. The Introduction of railways will put our state at risk with the influx of outsiders unless a strong and effective mechanism is implemented to protect and safeguard our people,” the organisation said.
“We understand that railway connectivity can have numerous benefits but it is necessary for the state to implement the ILP before introducing this project,” it added.