Shillong, Nov 9: A team of journalists from Shillong, as part of a press tour organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), visited North Garo Hills on Monday, including Mendipathar Railway Station, the first railway station in Meghalaya.
During the visit, Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, MSN Marak, highlighted the significant benefits of railway connectivity for the people of the region, particularly farmers, by providing easier and more affordable access to markets outside Meghalaya.
The major stumbling block to the expansion of the railway network in Meghalaya is fierce opposition from pressure groups who fear that its introduction will lead to greater migration at the cost of the majority native tribal population. This opposition means that there is no realistic hope of having a railway in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and pressure groups in Garo Hills have also opposed its extension beyond Mendipathar, which lies just inside the Meghalaya side of the border.
Marak said the railway service has enabled farmers to transport freshly harvested vegetables and other agricultural produce to Guwahati, where they can sell their produce and return home the same day. This has considerably reduced transportation costs while providing local farmers with access to wider markets.
She also noted that organic vegetables from the region are in high demand in Guwahati, offering farmers better opportunities to market their produce. The railway network has also helped reduce the cost of essential commodities by facilitating the direct transportation of goods into the district.
Highlighting the advantages of railway connectivity over districts without such facilities, Marak said transportation costs in those areas tend to be higher. Besides facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, Mendipathar Railway Station is also being used to transport goods to major cities such as Kolkata and Delhi, while bringing products from larger urban centres to the region.
The DC further said that railway infrastructure is being expanded, which is expected to attract more investors and encourage industrial development in North Garo Hills.
She expressed optimism that improved connectivity and the establishment of industries would create wider economic opportunities, benefiting not only farmers in the district but also contributing to the overall development of Meghalaya.
