Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today informed that the Northeast Frontier Railways has sought a refund of Rs 209.37 crore sanctioned in 2017 for land acquisition for the railway project.
“The amount was placed with the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi on March 30, 2017, solely for acquiring land for railway construction, but opposition from local groups stalled the process,” he told the Assembly.
Opposition to the railway initiative in Meghalaya has persisted for years, with pressure groups standing firm in their demand for effective anti-influx safeguards before any railway development proceeds. Concerns over unregulated migration remain the core issue.
The proposed line just inside the Meghalaya border, up to Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi, has been stalled for years. There is currently only one functioning railway line in Meghalaya, which connects Mendipathar to Assam.
Sangma said since the acquisition could not proceed, the money has remained unused for nearly eight years.
“We have been speaking to many stakeholders, both officially and unofficially, but since it’s a sensitive matter, the government didn’t proceed with any decision,” he said in his reply to a query raised by opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator Adelbert Nongrum.
Sangma acknowledged that resistance is not only against passenger trains but also goods trains and said “It challenging for the government to proceed with railway”.
Stating that from an economic standpoint, railway connectivity is essential, particularly for transporting goods as it would ease logistics, reduce transportation costs, and benefit businesses, local entrepreneurs, and the general public the chief minister reiterated the government’s commitment to public engagement and consensus-building before making any decisions on the matter.
