SHILLONG, Aug 24 - Central Government would intervene, if the Meghalaya Government desires, and hold discussion with NGOs opposing the Railway project in Khasi Hills.
Stating this, Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, DV Sadananda Gowda today said that the Centre was concerned that the Rs 6,000 crore railway project has hit a road block due to opposition from the NGOs.
NGOs like Khasi Students Union and others have opposed the railways arguing that it would encourage influx.�Due to the opposition, the State Government has halted all works of the project.�
Currently, the survey and land acquisition work is on for the project from Tetelia (Assam) to Byrnihat (Meghalaya). The total length of the project is 108 km and proposes to connect Assam and Shillong.
Gowda informed that he has reviewed the project and the delay is largely due to the land acquisition problems and Court cases. It has further been delayed as the �geo-technical, sub-soil investigations and FLS survey was stopped by the KSU.�
Advocating the development of railways in the State, he said the project would create employment opportunities and also boost the tourism sector in the State.
�The railways project in Meghalaya has been accorded the status of a national project, so, fund for it won�t be an issue. All the stakeholders of the project should resolve the issues at the earliest,� he added.
Gowda also reviewed the implementation of six other ongoing Central projects in the State. The projects include the Cancer hospital at NEIGRIHMS, the International centre for performing Arts and Culture, National Highways and others.
The project at NEIGRIHMS is progressing at a satisfactory time-frame and has been stopped owing to the monsoon season and is scheduled to be completed by 2018, he said.
However, the construction of the National Highways which includes the Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road (NH-44), Jorabat-Barapani road (NH 40) has been delayed due to issues related to land acquisition.
The Union Minister expressed satisfaction over progress made in some of the projects and said that he would be meeting Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and discuss the details of the projects.
