Meghalaya may soon lose the Rs 200 crore railway project that was sanctioned by the central government, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.
Sangma said he had met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently, who expressed concerns over the stalled Byrnihat and Shillong railway projects.
“I made it clear that we need to involve all stakeholders before proceeding with such a major decision,” the chief minister said, adding that he highlighted the importance of community consensus.
The two projects include the 22-km Tetelia-Byrnihat line and the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong line. The Tetelia-Byrnihat project, costing Rs 496 crore, has faced opposition, primarily due to fears of an influx of outsiders.
Sangma further shared that the Railway Minister had warned that if the land acquisition issue is not resolved within the next few months, the Rs 200 crore allocated for this purpose—currently held by the Deputy Commissioner since 2017—will be reclaimed. Additionally, the projects could be cancelled, with the government shifting focus to other regional projects.
“I requested the union minister for more time to discuss the matter, but the deadline is tight. He indicated that if we can’t move forward, this large-scale project, with immense economic potential for the state, will be scrapped,” Sangma said, stressing the urgency of finding a resolution.
