Introduction of railway in Khasi Hills
SHILLONG: Transport Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh on Monday assured necessary safe guards while bringing railway to Khasi Hills.
Earlier, the KSU had said that it would welcome railway in Khasi Hills provided that the Government adopts measures to check influx.
Reacting to this, Lyngdoh said that the Government will work out a mechanism to check influx.
“We will sit and discuss to address their concerns,” he told The Shillong Times.
Regarding the extension of rail services to Byrnihat, the Minister said that the railway authorities have deposited funds with the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi for land acquisition.
Lyngdoh, who was present at Mendipathar during the launch of the first train to Guwahati on Saturday, said on Monday that Garo Hills will immensely benefit from railway and wanted the pressure groups in Khasi Hills who are against the project, to realize that the project would benefit the people in the long run.
Besides providing passenger services at cheap rates, export of coal, perishable goods and food grains will change the face of Garo Hills, he said.
According to Lyngdoh the frequent Assam bandhs which otherwise affect the road traffic, will not have any impact on the rail service.