Shillong, Feb 26: The Centre is likely to scrap the two railway projects – 22-km Tetelia-Byrnihat tracks and the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong line after they have faced roadblocks due to strong opposition from different quarters apprehending influx.

Indicating this during an interaction with media persons on Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed that the state government has been asked to return back Rs 300 crore sanctioned for land acquisition for the projects.

“The point is the government of India is not going to wait forever. Already we have received a letter from the government of India to return back the money that was deposited for the Byrnihat and Shillong line. So technically these projects will most probably be shut,” he said.

“I don’t think railway will become a possibility in Shillong because the government of India has asked for the money back and most probably if the support is there and if positive response comes from East Jaintia Hills then we may be able to go ahead with the project there,” Sangma said while adding “We are also examining if there are other parts in the region of the state where we are able to take rail connectivity along with the consensus of the masses, we will try to move forward.”

The chief minister informed that about Rs 300 crore have to be surrendered to the Centre and said, “But most importantly the allocation for the construction of the railway for which we will get GST and other revenues it would even be touching Rs 10,000 crore – that is not with us of course it is with the railways ministry but the money that came to us was for the land acquisition which of course we will have to give back.”

Asked, Sangma said that the new proposal for railway line is upto Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills is what the government is examining after speaking with many stakeholders.

He however assured, “It is simple. We will go with the people’s support in this whole aspect as it is something which is being done for the people and for development, which we hope our people will understand as we move forward. Connectivity is important in today’s world. We have been trying to explain this to everybody. Of course certain organizations have their stand on it and we respect that stand.”

Stating that the government is considering to have a public meeting on the issue, the CM however said, “In fact we have been talking to people and we have been having different kinds of engagements at different levels but as I said whatever we could get the sense from the general outreach programmes and general discussions we have had is that  there is a large resentment and not a positive one.”

“ Yes, there are some sections that are coming forward but yes if there are more people who are coming forward and express their concerns and ideas then it does help the cause and more importantly if there is much larger debate on this and discussion takes place from the public point of view along with different organization it will be a healthier environment but as I said at this point in time all the concerns is something we would like to address rather than forcefully going ahead with the projects like these. That is what we are trying to do. We are trying to build up a consensus but as I said in the process of trying to build a consensus and move forward the government of India has thrown this on us and said they are asking for the money back,” he added.

To a question if the government would instead extend the railway line to Garo Hills, Sangma said, “We can look at it but provided that we are able to take everybody on board.”

Also Read: KSU alleges irregularities in appointments and operations at NLU Meghalaya

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