Meghalaya: Setting up of entry-exit point at Mendipathar railway station to begin soon

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SHILLONG | May 05, 2019:

The Ministry of Railways has given its nod to the Meghalaya Government to set up the Entry-Exit point at the only railway station in the state — the Mendipathar Railway station.

Confirming this development, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma informed that the state government received the information recently adding that work for setting up the entry-exit point at Mendipathar RS will begin within this month.

Stating that influx and illegal immigration is a cause of concern for the state, Conrad said the government is trying to address the issue through various mechanisms.

He also exuded confidence that the setting up of the entry and exit points in different parts of the state would boost the confidence of the NGOs and public vis-a-vis influx.

He also informed that the work for the entry and exit point at Ri Bhoi district will begin this week.

Furthermore, the chief minister informed that the discussions on resuming the construction work for Tetelia-Byrnihat- Shillong railway line have been discussed at different levels.

It may be mentioned that Meghalaya has only one railway station in Garo Hills; while in Khasi Hills, efforts have been made in the past to bring railways till Byrnihat but construction work for the same was stalled by  pressure groups few years back after which the work never resumed.

Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma last week also held detailed discussions about the railway projects in Meghalaya with North East Frontier Railways (NFR).

The NGOs in Meghalaya fear that sans a comprehensive mechanism to tackle influx like the Inner Line Permit (ILP), railways would bring large scale influx of outsiders into the state.