Meghalaya is on the cusp of a connectivity revolution, with the state government leaving no stone unturned to improve road, rail, and air links.
Despite opposition from locals, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is driving efforts to bring railways to the state, with plans to explore an alternative rail head in the eastern region.
Even though the western part of the state is connected by a rail head (Mendipathar) the public of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region are averse to the idea and until and unless a mechanism is in place to check unabated influx is in place they will not allow trains to enter this part of Meghalaya.
Recently, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the Meghalaya Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session that the Northeast Frontier Railways has sought a refund of Rs 209.37 crore sanctioned in 2017 for land acquisition for the railway project in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi district.
However, Sangma informed the House that the state is exploring another rail head into the eastern part of the region.
The Chief Minister tried to convince the people of the state by asking them to understand the gravity of the situation and stated that the centre wants to bring railways to almost all the state capital in the country and the state may be the only one left without a rail head if opposition continues.
He also told the House that he will convene a discussion with all stakeholders to find a way out and move forward with the idea of bringing a railway line into Khasi-Jaintia Hills region but it remains to be seen whether he is able to persuade them. It will sure be an uphill task for him.
Once this part of the state gets connected by railways essential commodities will be cheaper.
Another challenge of the state government would be to see that the Shillong Airport at Umroi airport get regular flights.
The Chief Minister has assured that the Shillong Airport at Umroi will be able to accommodate bigger flights by next year.
If it is so then this will be a boost for the tourism industry and the state will be able to earn the much needed revenue.
Sangma on many occasions had said that Meghalaya needs high end tourists to visit the state and all stakeholders benefit economically from it.
If the Shillong Airport can accommodate bigger aircrafts and landing and take-offs become frequent, it will benefit travelers from the state.
As of now thousands of people from the state have to go down to Guwahati to travel to other parts of the country.
In the budget speech of the Chief Minister on Wednesday it was seen that the government is giving emphasis to regional connectivity which will benefit the state economically.
These include the 19 km long Dhubri- Phulbari bridge connecting Assam and Meghalaya and construction of NH 127B from Phulbari to Goeragre.
The state government has also taken up the proposal for development of a comprehensive Border Economic Corridor from Dalu to Sonapur with the Ministries of DoNER and Road Transport and Highways. The Corridor of 450 kms provides access to nine Land Custom Stations and one Border Haat at Balat.
The state government’s proposal for the Hili-Mahendraganj transnational economic corridor is aimed at enhancing connectivity between Meghalaya and rest of India through Bangladesh.
From Meghalaya’s perspective, this 100 km route has the potential to shorten travel time and cost by 25-60 percent from Kolkata to growth centers such as Tura, Baghmara, Dalu, and Dawki.
With these initiatives, Meghalaya is expected to become a major connectivity hub in the region, driving economic growth and development.
