Shillong, July 20: Admitting that influx is a big deal, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday assured that the government will address such concern before taking decision to go ahead with railway projects in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.

Sangma told reporters that if there is a general feeling that a study on the impact of influx in the state should be conducted, the government will have no problem conducting such study.

“The study is not a big deal but influx is a big deal…I have made it very clear to the public that in no way are we going to bulldoze this kind of a decision where we are going to force this kind of a project to come through if the people and the community at large have concerns about it. We will address those concerns before we move on it,” he said.

His statement came as a reaction to the suggestion made by the opposition Congress to conduct a study on the impact of influx in Meghalaya following the stiff opposition from several quarters on the government’s move to bring railway line to East Jaintia Hills District.

Sangma also informed he has made the state government’s stand very clear to the Union Railway Minister.

“In the meeting, I had with him (railway minister), I told him that there are concerns and without addressing those concerns, it would not be wise for us to simply bulldoze it,” he said.

Shifting railway project 

Sangma further informed that the railway minister had also mentioned that there were funds to be given to the State for land acquisition and other things as part of the project. “But I made it amply clear to him that if directions are given and if there is a study that is done, then this railway could be put in other parts of the state. And, if government of India so desires, those funds can be used to develop the railway connectivity in areas which are viable, which will benefit the people and where the people are also happy to get the railways,” he said while adding “The minister was also quite happy to hear that and said that they are flexible and open to consider shifting of the railway projects from Byrnihat-Shillong in terms of the funds that have been given to us to any other parts of the state. That is why we will consult with other regions and see the feasibility of shifting this project to any other parts of the state.”

When asked further, the chief minister said, “I communicated to the government of India that if we are not able to move forward in this project, we are open to the government of India discussing with state government and other regions and see how we could then utilize this fund for another part. I am not saying a, b or c. All I am saying is that the government of India is saying money is there why are we not moving forward so we are saying if not Shillong, let us examine somewhere else that’s all.”

Also read: Meghalaya Govt seeks appointment with Amit Shah to discuss ILP, other issues

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