United Democratic Party adviser and former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong said that he would oppose the coming of a passenger railway service in Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills even if the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is implemented in the state.
ILP first is a key demand of several pressure groups before they would support the railways. Lanong is also opposed to a goods service, saying that it should not be allowed past Khanapara, which is well short of the proposed terminus in Byrnihat.
According to Lanong, trains will only bring pollution, disease, increased congestion and contribute to a loss of greenery.
“We do not want pollution or extra population. We do not want our greenery and hills to be demolished and we do not want diseases. We want a clean environment and we want to take care of our hills and forests,” he stated.
Maintaining that railways have already been introduced across the North East, he wondered, “Why do they want to pass and poke into our state? We have better roads now and we don’t need trains because even a single train will cause havoc to our communities and our environment.”
Lanong fingered an unnamed coterie who have “hidden agendas” for supporting railway projects in Meghalaya.
