Shillong, Jan 23: The state government has to surrender over ₹200 crore, which was sanctioned by the Centre for land acquisition for two railway projects in Khasi Hills region, in case the state failed in making any headway on the issue in the coming few months.
Informing this as being told by union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, whom he met in New Delhi recently, chief minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday, said the railway minister would write a letter to the state government seeking the money back in the next three to six months, if the issue could not be resolved by then.
“The Railway Minister had expressed concern about the railway projects at Byrnihat and Shillong,” he said.
The Centre proposed two railways projects – 22-km Tetelia-Byrnihat and 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong line.
Tetelia-Byrnihat project was sanctioned ₹496 crore. Both the projects have faced roadblocks due to strong opposition from different quarters apprehending influx of “outsiders”.
The ₹200 crore given for land acquisition has been lying with the deputy commissioner since 2017, the chief minister said.
“We will have to give back that money and more importantly this project will be cancelled and the government (Centre) will take up the other projects if other states in the region are keen,” Sangma said.
On the stand he took on the subject, the chief minister said, “I have made it amply clear to him that we need to take the stakeholders into confidence… it would not be proper for us to bulldoze on a subject like this. I have always stressed on taking the community and the people on board while going for a major decision like this.”
However, Sangma said, he had requested the railway minister to grant some more some time to discuss the matter with the stakeholders. “But the time limit is very limited,” he said.
Although the railway minister did not specify any deadline to resolve the issue, he told the chief minister that he would send a letter “very soon”.
Meanwhile, Vaishnaw also expressed willingness to hold talks with the stakeholders by himself and make them understand importance of the projects.
“He has given a very strong message and indication that if we are not able to move forward, this project which runs into thousands of crores and has huge economic impact for our state, will have to be cancelled,” Sangma said.
