SHILLONG: The idea of rail link up to Shillong, even if it is only for goods movement, seems yet to catch the imagination of the political forces here. After BJP came out openly for it, and UDP agreed to examine the proposal, there has been a rethink.
The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) comprising both UDP and HSPDP has changed the narration saying that although they are yet to examine idea of allowing goods train, they do not welcome the suggestion.
UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh however asserted that goods train should not be upto Shillong while maintaining that views from other organisations should also be taken into consideration.
“We are yet to sit and examine. We have to take into consideration many other factors such as topography, hilly terrain, affected villages in and around”, he told The Shillong Times.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said, “The RDA will meet again and decide which is the best way forward but we do not want goods train till Shillong if it is till Khanapara, it would be fine”, he said.
As with regard to passenger train, Mawthoh said that the RDA is very clear that it opposes passenger train to Meghalaya until the mechanism to check influx and immigration is in place.
On the other hand, speaking about the entry and exit points in the state, he said, “We have apprised and impressed upon the government to expedite the setting up of entry and exit points”.
It may be mentioned that the entry and exit point at Umling as demanded by the pressure groups is yet to be implemented.
The entry and exit points was conceptualised during the tenure of previous MUA government when different pressure groups had raised demands for introducing inner line permit in the state to check influx.
The MDA government finally started construction of the entry and exit point at Umling saying it wants to send a strong message that it is committed to put in place a strong mechanism to address the issue of influx and illegal immigration.
