Resubelpara, Nov 9: North Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner MSN Marak on Monday said that influx does not come from Mendipathar railway but from the roadway.
A team of journalists from Shillong, as part of a press tour organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), visited North Garo Hills district on Monday, including Mendipathar railway station the first in Meghalaya.
“Since our district shares border with Assam, we see people coming through roadway and not from the railway”, the deputy commissioner said, when asked about influx fears in Khasi Hills due to ralway.
During the visit, Marak highlighted the significant benefits of railway connectivity for the people of the region, particularly farmers, by providing easier and more affordable access to markets outside the State.
Marak said the railway service has enabled farmers to transport freshly harvested vegetables and other agricultural produce to Guwahati, where they can sell their produce and return home the same day. This has considerably reduced transportation costs while providing local farmers with access to wider markets.
She also said that organic vegetables from the region are in high demand in Guwahati, offering farmers better opportunities to market their produce. The railway network has also helped reduce the cost of essential commodities by facilitating the direct transportation of goods into the district.
Speaking on the advantages of railway connectivity over districts without such facilities, Marak said transportation costs in those areas tend to be higher. Besides facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, Mendipathar railway station is also being used to transport goods to major cities such as Kolkata and Delhi, while bringing products from larger urban centres to the region.
She said the railway infrastructure is being expanded, which is expected to attract more investors and encourage industrial development in North Garo Hills.
The deputy commissioner said improved connectivity and the establishment of industries would create wider economic opportunities, benefiting not only farmers in the district but also contributing to the overall development of Meghalaya.
