Rail line to be ready by 2018

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 3: Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit today informed the state Assembly that work on the Tetalia-Byrnihat railway line is in progress and is likely to be commissioned by March next year.

Addressing the opening day of the budget session on Friday, Purohit said that the state now figures on the rail map of the country with the commencement of the railway service between Dudhnoi-Mendipathar-Guwahati in the North Garo Hills District.

The Governor said that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Centre and the State has been signed to encourage private airlines to operate flights from Umroi and Baljek airports to connect with other state capitals in the region.

Moreover, he said construction of Inter-State bus terminals in Shillong and Tura have commenced, and the one at Tura is likely to be operationalized soon.

On road connectivity in the state, the governor said important ongoing projects such as construction of two-lane Jowai Bye-pass under SARDP-NE Phase-A has been completed. He said this will address the traffic congestion in Jowai town.

Further, he said that the two-laning work of Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura road also under Phase-A of SARDP-NE is about 96 per cent completed.

Besides, improvement of NH-40 between Shillong and Dawki (80 km) and construction of Dawki bridge, improvement of NH-62 between Assam-Meghalaya border to Dalu to Baghmara (161km) and two laning of Tura-Dalu NH-51 (48km) will be taken up under JICA funding.

The Governor, meanwhile, announced that the taxation department was fully geared up for the smooth implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) in the state.

He said this new indirect tax regime will be the most significant indirect tax reform in the country which will merge the two spheres of indirect taxation currently collected under the Central Sales Tax Act.

“The state will, however, retain the taxation power on sale of high speed diesel, motor spirit and alcohol for human consumption and tax collection under MVAT Act is expected to increase by about 15 per cent annually,” he added.

The Governor also informed the Assembly that the Excise department has taken steps towards generating more revenue while complying with the restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on opening of wine shops along the National and State Highways.

“The rate of tax as well as the rate of transport pass fee and import pass fee for IMFL, beer, wine has been increased,” he said.

Informing that the irrigation potential created has been doubled between the year 2011 and 2015, Purohit said efforts were on to ensure that the entire cultivable area in the state gets covered with sustainable irrigation facilities by 2022.

With regards to forest and environment, Purohit said that community participation on scientific wildlife management is being encouraged.

“The area under the Community Reserves (CRs) has now increased to 4039 hectares (40.39 sq km) comprising of 44 such CRs,” he said.

He also informed that six new Community and Rural Development Blocks have been created which include Mawlai and Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi, Demdema in West Garo Hills, Rerapara in South West Garo Hills and Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills Districts.