Do pressure groups resisting the coming of railways to Byrnihat represent the entire population of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills? If not, how can one or two groups stymie the development of an entire state? Railways are the lifeline of a nation and carry goods and passengers at a price that the common citizens can afford. The coming of railways will facilitate travel between Meghalaya and the rest of the country. Besides, carrying goods by trains is much cheaper since trains can transport larger volumes of cargo at once, are more fuel efficient due to their lower rolling resistance, and require fewer personnel to operate, thereby resulting in lower operational costs, particularly for long distance shipment. Hence it is the economy of scale that operates here.
If the transportation costs of all goods come down essential commodities like rice, vegetables and other food products would automatically become more affordable. Trains will not be bogged down by traffic jams and will also not emit so much polluting fumes as trucks do. In fact, in a state that is inching towards major vehicular pollution, trains will cut down emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. Again, for a state that is experiencing climate change it is important to change our mode of transport as much as possible. Have the pressure groups that stand adamant against railways taken all these positive features of railways into consideration? Have they done a cost-benefit analysis of the railways versus trucks maths? The question also is why should only railways result in influx and how? Any resistance to a project must come with detailed research which needs to be evidence-based and presented in a non-threatening public platform for all to debate the pros and cons without any intimidation. For too long Meghalaya has been held hostage to pressure groups and no government has had the political will to call their bluff.
It is public knowledge that all goods carrying trucks coming to Shillong are paying different groups at different points along the route. Trucks bringing fish from Andhra Pradesh and those carrying food grains such as potatoes, onions and vegetables are all paying these profiteers who have no love for anyone but themselves and are propagating a selfish agenda. A Government is elected to do what is best for the people and cannot be cowed down by any group with vested interests. There are various mechanisms to check influx and the local village councils can be empowered to keep a record and strictly check on the entry and exit of people from their respective localities. On the pretext of checking influx we cannot forgo railways for that is like cutting off our noses to spite our faces. The debate on whether or not to bring railways to Meghalaya has carried on for too long. It’s time to end this debate by holding public consultations at every district and block of Khasi-Jaintia Hills and let people decide their future. No non-elected group should be allowed to hijack the railway agenda.
