Shillong: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai has urged civil society groups and stakeholders to reconsider their opposition to railway expansion in the state, emphasising the potential benefits of goods train connectivity up to Byrnihat.
Shullai told reporters on Wednesday that states such as Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and even parts of Meghalaya’s Garo Hills have already witnessed economic advantages from rail networks, particularly in the form of cheaper transportation and reduced prices of essential commodities.
“Discussions must be held under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to convince and enlighten NGOs and pressure groups that a railway line could serve as a boon for Meghalaya,” he said, adding that even limited access for goods trains would ease supply chains and lower costs.
Railway projects in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills have faced strong opposition for decades, with organisations like the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) warning that increased connectivity could trigger large-scale influx, posing risks to land rights, jobs, and the cultural identity of indigenous communities.
In 2017, protests led to the suspension of work on the Tetelia–Byrnihat line.
Civil society bodies have repeatedly insisted that effective safeguards against influx must be enacted before railway construction can resume.
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Meanwhile, supporters of the project argue that improved connectivity would not only strengthen trade but also open doors for tourism and wider economic growth.
By reviving the discussion, Shullai has brought back to the forefront a debate that has long divided opinion in Meghalaya.
He maintained that while the state needs to embrace development, any final decision must carefully balance economic aspirations with the protection of tribal rights and identity.
