CM to review railway project

By Our Reporter​

SHILLONG, JUNE 14: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today said mechanism to check influx will be created in all places across the state where there will be railway stations.

The chief minister also informed that he would immediately review the construction of the railway project, which has come under complete standstill following the recent protest by the KSU.

“When talked about comprehensive mechanism to deal with the issue of influx and illegal immigration, it is not confine to entry/exit points,” Sangma told reporters at the sideline of a meeting of state security commission held here.He said there are many other measures being put in place both through legislative and others which include creating the right kind of infrastructures to implement those mandate passed by the law.

According to him, the entry/exit points identified in different locations across the state are meant to look into the movement of influx through roads and it is not possible to cover railway through the entry/exit points.

He said there will be similar kind of facility created at the railway station and direction has been given to provide this kind of infrastructures in every place where there will be railway station.

“Railway stations will again be provided with such kind of facilities which will address the concern (of influx),” he said adding “But it is only when you create the railway station, you can put such facilities in place.”

His statement came in view of the pressure groups allegedly linking the railway project with the setting up of entry/exit points.

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has maintained it would continue to oppose the construction of the railway line in Ri Bhoi District till the state government is ready to come up with effective mechanisms to check influx into the state.

However, the chief minister said it is a question of being able of appreciate the measures taken by the state government with regards to dealing with the issue of influx.

“It is not for the sake of rhetoric we are saying, we have already started demonstrating in action in which legislatives measures and all mechanisms have put in place,” he said.

According to him, but to implement these mechanisms, various procedures including land acquisition are required to be followed, which will have reasons for a little delay in the implementation.