SHILLONG: Mendipathar, the sole railway station in Meghalaya, is poised to establish a crucial link with West Bengal following the Indian Railways’ recent approval of the Final Location Survey (FLS) for 14 new railway routes.
This development is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing international connectivity, particularly with Bangladesh and Nepal, while fortifying alternate routes to the Northeast.
The sanctioned FLS spans a total length of 1275.50 kilometres, with approximately 250 kilometres dedicated to new lines along the West Bengal – Bangladesh – Meghalaya route (Balurghat – Hili – Gaibandha – Mahendraganj – Tura – Mendipathar segment).
“This expansion will not only bolster rail connectivity with neighbouring countries but also significantly boost trade and tourism activities in the Northeast,” a Railway Ministry official told a national daily.
The initiative reflects the Centre’s strategic endeavour to reduce dependency on the Siliguri Corridor route and streamline travel time to the Northeast.
By leveraging these new routes, the connectivity landscape is poised for substantial enhancement, benefiting both passenger and freight services.
Mendipathar, operational since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, serves as a pivotal gateway in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya.
Recently, the station achieved a milestone with the introduction of electric trains, following the completion of electrification works on sections between Abhayapuri–Pancharatna and Dudhnai–Mendipathar by the NFR on March 15, 2023.
The upcoming rail expansions are anticipated to further integrate Northeast into the national and international transport networks, marking a significant stride towards comprehensive connectivity goals.
Earlier in March, the NFR introduced passenger train services connecting Mendipathar to Shokhuvi and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh.
