Shillong, May 27: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister A.L. Hek on Tuesday said that while development such as the introduction of railways is necessary, it must be carried out after careful consideration of its impact, particularly in relation to protecting the interests of local citizens and preventing influx.
When asked about the recent all-party meeting on the issue, Hek said, “The government has set up an appropriate party committee to discuss the railways in the state. This was necessitated because many people have raised objections, saying that the railway should not come. It has also been observed that several opposition parties have opted out of this discussion. This is an all-party meeting, so everyone should come and discuss.”
On whether he supports the railway project, Hek said, “My point is, we should not stop any development, but we have to see the pros and cons. We have to study this carefully. If we are bringing the railway, we must also see how we can prevent the influx. That is very important.”
He continued, “Now, we cannot say that because it brings development, we must allow it blindly. The railway has come to Mizoram and Arunachal, which are far-flung areas along international borders. Before bringing the railway here, we must have an open discussion on how to first prevent influx. That is equally important—development is important, and so is protecting our citizens.”
On his inputs as a member of the NPP-led MDA government for the upcoming discussions, Hek stated, “We have to discuss very thoroughly. We have to see all the pros and cons, and how we can protect our citizens here in the state of Meghalaya.”
When pointed out that many NGOs insist on implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) before introducing railways, Hek responded, “It’s not only about ILP. We can also introduce the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA). Once MRSSA is in place and everything is protected and prevented, only then should we talk about the railway. We can’t stick to one issue—we have other options to protect our people. If MRSSA is implemented with full strength, then we can discuss further.”
He further added that many states already have railway infrastructure, including Mizoram. He cautioned against being left behind in terms of connectivity. “See, the railway in Mendipathar has already come to Meghalaya. This is not something new. Goods trains are already operational there. So let’s start with goods trains first, like in Mendipathar.”
Highlighting the benefits, he said, “People from Mendipathar are sending their goods and getting better prices. From Garo Hills to Guwahati, it has helped. Similarly, from Khasi Hills or Jaintia Hills, our products can reach national markets. Even farmers will benefit. Goods coming from outside will also be cheaper. Right now, fish comes from Andhra Pradesh to Shillong via road takes 7–8 days, making it costly. By train, the cost will be much lower compared to road transport.”
When asked about the opposition parties refusing to participate in the discussions without ILP, Hek appealed to them to engage in dialogue. “That is the point—come to the platform and discuss. Only then can we examine the pros and cons and find ways to prevent influx into Meghalaya. We have to look at all angles for the benefit of the state. We need development, but at the same time, we also need to protect our people,” he said.
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