The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided not to give its no objection certificate for the railway line at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi to protect the interest of indigenous people of the State.
The decision was taken with the different traditional heads today.
KHADC chief executive member, Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters that the decision was arrived at with the Basan of Nongkseh, the Syiem Raid Marwet and the Syiem Raid Nongpoh and various rangbah shnongs which fall under the areas required for the acquisition of the railway line.
“The Government continues to write to us asking for consent. Therefore we had to call this meeting and based on consultation with the traditional heads we have unanimously decided not to give our consent,” Chyne said.
He said that the district council is meant to protest the interest of the indigenous people. “We are a small tribe, if we allow the coming of railway there will be a problem with influx,” he added
According to the CEM, the total area required for the acquisition for laying the railway line is about 47,676.63 sq/m belonging to 16 land owners. He said since the government is not clear whether the purpose is for passenger train or goods train the district council will stick to the decision arrived at today.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had last year said the state government will engage with all stakeholders to find a way forward for the introduction of goods train till Byrnihat in Khasi Hills region of the state.
Several organisations in the Khasi Hills region of Meghalaya have been opposing the construction of the 20.5 km long Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line.
The anti-railways lobby in the state has been protesting against introduction of railways fearing an influx of outsiders into the state as a consequence of introduction of this cheap and popular mode of transport.
Meghalaya joined the railway map of India when the first passenger train linking Mendipathar in North Garo Hills district with Dudhnoi in Assam was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via a video link from Railway Stadium at Maligaon, Assam on November 29, 2014.
Of the total length of 19.75 km of the Mendipathar-Dudhnoi railway line, 10.26 km falls in Assam, and 9.49 km in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills district. However, since then the railways have not been able to make much headway in the hilly state.
