Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act is far better than ILP: Cabinet minister AL Hek

AL Hek said that the prices of essential commodities will come down many fold if railways are introduced in the state capital

Amid the stiff opposition from NGOs and social organisations over railway projects in Meghalaya without the implementation of the Inner Line Permit, senior BJP legislator and cabinet minister, AL Hek, said that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act is far better than the ILP as Meghalaya is not a landlocked state but a transit state that has national highways connecting to Barak Valley of Assam, Tripura, and Mizoram.

The Government of Meghalaya introduced the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act 2016 to ensure and enhance security of the citizens of the state by making careful and thorough examination of tenants residing in the state.

Stating that railways are a cheaper form of long-distance travel today, which will bring development to the state, the Cabinet Minister said any kind of development shouldn’t be stopped, and the people shouldn’t be disturbed.

He acknowledged the role of traditional heads in controlling the illegal influx in the state.

Hek further said the prices of essential commodities will come down many fold if railways are introduced in the state capital.

Earlier, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in Charge of Transport, Sniawbhalang Dhar, said that the state government has not dropped the idea of having the railway project in East Jaintia Hills and is in discussion with the stakeholders.

Dhar said that the Meghalaya government will talk to all the stakeholders, particularly those from the ‘local’ area, before moving ahead with the feasibility study on railways in the East Jaintia Hills.

He also said that the state government will create awareness before moving ahead with the project.

It may be mentioned that the Center has proposed two railway projects in the state, the 22 km Tetelia-Byrnihat line and the 108 km Byrnihat-Shillong line.

However, these projects have faced roadblocks due to strong opposition from different quarters, apprehending illegal influx.

Recently, various social organizations opposed the state government’s proposal to establish a railway line in Khliehriat in Meghalaya, citing the possibility of an influx.

KSU, the apex student body of Meghalaya, has blatantly objected to the railway project, fearing it would open the floodgates for illegal immigrants.

Earlier, during the Budget Session of Parliament in February this year, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong railway project was facing a lot of law and order problems from the Khasi Student Union.

The Union Minister said that the KHADC has to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for land to be acquired for the railway project.

However, the KHADC rejected the Meghalaya government’s request for a NOC to acquire over 47,000 square meters of land for the implementation of the proposed rail project in Ri Bhoi district of the state.

The Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project was first sanctioned for Rs 125 crore in 2019. Later, an additional Rs 300 crore was allocated between 2020 and 2023.

The proposed Byrnihat-Shillong railway line, if implemented, will have a total of 100 bridges on the route.

Also Read: Railway project in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia hills still on cards: Dy CM

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