SHILLONG: Meghalaya Government has received permission from the Ministry of Railways to setup an entry and exit point at Mendipathar Railway station, the only Railway station in the state.
Informing this here, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma said that the work for entry and exit point at Mendipathar Railway station would begin within this month.
Stating that discussions about resuming the construction work for Tetelia-Byrnihat- Shillong railway line have been discussed at different levels, he added that the Government was trying to address the issues of influx and illegal immigration which is a cause of concern
He also exuded confidence that the setting up of the entry and exit points in different parts of the state would boost the confidence of the NGOs and public about their concern on influx.
He also informed that the work for the entry and exit point to be set up at Ri Bhoi district would begin this week.
It may be mentioned that in Meghalaya, there is hardly any railway connectivity except Mendipath-Dudhoi railway line
As far as Khasi Hills is concerned, efforts are on for a long time to bring railways till Byrnihat but the construction work for the same was stalled by pressure groups few years back.
Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma last week held detailed discussions about the railway projects in Meghalaya with Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR)
The NGOs in Meghalaya fear that railways would facilitate large scale influx of outsiders into the state.
