SHILLONG: In line with the views of the Union Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain, and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said the introduction of railways in Khasi Hills will be beneficial to the people of the State.
“Once the railway is introduced in Khasi Hills, transportation cost will be reduced and this will bring in overall development,” he told reporters on Friday.
On the question of influx, Tynsong said the government will introduce adequate mechanism to check influx.
“The NGOs are not against railways. What they wanted is adequate safeguards to check influx which the government is ready to address,” Tynsong said.
According to the Minister, the problem of influx is related to the entry of Bangladeshi immigrants to Meghalaya and not Indian citizens.
Fencing welcomed
Elaborating on the issue of influx, Tynsong, who is representing the District Council Affairs Minister, said there is always threat from Bangladeshis who plunder the agricultural produce of the Khasi villagers along the border.
In this context, the villagers are favouring fencing of the border to prevent intrusion of Bangladeshis, he said
Regarding the issue of fencing along the zero line, Tynsong said
the National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and traditional heads have agreed o construct the fencing very close to the zero line.
