Shillong, Oct 20: Cabinet Minister in-charge Food Civil Supplies & Consumers, Water Resources, Home (Civil Defense & Home Guards) and Cooperation, Comingone Ymbon, on Friday said he welcomes the decision to introduce railway lines in Jaintia Hills as it would benefit the people of the region.

Speaking to reporters, Ymbon said, “I welcome the railway. I have seen those countries which have railways, the people get a lot of benefit from it.” Ymbon is also NPP legislator of Raliang constituency in West Jaintia Hills.

He said, “Last time, I went to Garo Hills to hoist the flag on Independence Day. After hoisting the flag, I went to the railway station in Mendipathar and I have seen the people of that area, they are getting a lot of profit because to travel from Mendipathar to Guwahati, taxi drivers used to ask for Rs 280 per head but by train it is only Rs 30. They (would) start from Mendipathar by 7am and they will return back by 7pm in the evening. Small farmers are carrying one or two baskets of fruits or any production from there, they can sell to Guwahati and they get a lot of profit. Even for essential commodities also, I enquired that time in the month of August from a shop (I was told that the) price of rice in Resu was Rs 31 while here in Shillong Rs 44 – that much the difference.”

The minister said that if the railway comes, people in Jaintia Hills region would also be largely benefited. “We have so many resources like limestone, like coal, which if transported by trucks (would cost) almost Rs 2,000 per ton. I think if we transport by railway maybe it will be Rs 500 per ton and Rs 1500 will come to your pocket,” he added.

Refusing to comment on the NGOs’ continuous opposition against railway in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, even just a railhead, Ymbon however said in view of the fear against influx, the state government had already passed an official resolution urging the Centre to immediately implement the inner line permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.

“Now, the ball is with the central government. Let the central government approve that,” he stated.

The State government has recently decided to explore the possibility of introducing railway connectivity in East Jaintia Hills District.

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