SHILLONG, Aug 12: The Blind Lead Trust (BLT), an organisation advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, has urged the Meghalaya government to explore railway connectivity in the state.
BLT co-founder and managing director, Jitendra Dkhar, said the organisation is ready to support the government’s efforts to bring railways to Meghalaya, stressing that the move would greatly benefit persons with disabilities (PwDs), especially the visually impaired.
Acknowledging that some groups may oppose railway projects, he emphasised that the voices of people with disabilities must also be heard. “The absence of a railway connection severely limits our rights and opportunities,” he said.
Dkhar said that the organisation’s plea is not just about convenience but about basic accessibility and equality.
The BLT co-founder pointed out that ticket booking at railway stations often comes with reduced fares.
However, he said that the lack of a railway station in the state makes this option impossible, particularly affecting the weaker sections of society.
“Without railways, you’re placing us in a precarious position for the future,” he warned.
Asserting that the issue is one of inclusive development, Dkhar argued that progress must reach all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
He revealed that the demand was also raised by a group of six to eight individuals from Meghalaya who were preparing to attend a national training and meeting of the National Disability People’s Organisation in Uttar Pradesh.
Currently, the PwDs in Meghalaya need to travel to Lumding in Assam to apply for railway concessions and ID cards, a process Dkhar said is both physically demanding and financially burdensome.
“We have to cross into another state just to access benefits we are entitled to,” he lamented, also criticising the high costs associated with online ticket bookings.
“This is a crucial opportunity we cannot afford to miss. A railway connection is not a luxury but a necessity for us,” Dkhar said, urging the state government to act swiftly.
