East Jaintia Hills residents’ consent key to railway project, says Kyrmen Shylla
Cabinet minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Kyrmen Shylla on Thursday said a meeting will soon be held to seek the consent of the people in East Jaintia Hills with regards to the government’s move to introduce railway lines in the district.
“We are keen to have a meeting where we will ask the consent of the people. If they are for the railway then we will ask the chief minister to implement it (railway project) but if all people are against it then we have to go against that as at the end the first direct benefit or (negative) effect will be to the people of East Jaintia Hills. That is why the consent of the people of the district is very important,” Shylla, who is also a two-time legislator from Khliehriat, told reporters.
Stating that he would stand with the people of East Jaintia Hills, Shylla said, “If they said this is not for us if it benefits us also because in the end I am a public representative I have to listen to them as I am for them. If they are against it, I have to stand with them. If they are for it I will stand with them.”
To a question, the cabinet minister said that he is neither for nor against railways.
“This is because any development if it is for the benefit of our people I am for that. However, if that development will not serve the purpose and requirement of our people I am against that. I believe that not only me, all the legislators are for that as we are here for the public and we are here to serve for them,” he said.
Asserting that it would be too early to comment on whether railways are good or bad, Shylla said, “Because why I say that as of now especially in Meghalaya we have not experienced (it).”
“Whenever we discuss (this issue) I said don’t judge too early or don’t judge without knowing anything because I remember one friend of mine he told me he is oppose railway and I asked him what is the reason, he doesn’t have any reason,” he said while adding “All I request and want my people from East Jaintia Hills is whenever we are for any project, we have to know at least basic knowledge about it, what is the benefit from it, what is the problem will come and what is our losses by having the train. If something is benefiting the people and just for my personal benefit, I will be against that should not happen.”
According to him, any project or even railway if it comes, should have the consent of the people of East Jaintia Hills.
On Ngos apprehending that railways will only bring influx to the state, Shylla said that if such is the notion then why not ask the government to implement only goods trains.
“If we feel that through railways, the influx will increase so why not we just seek and ask the government to implement only goods carriers. With goods carriers I believe nothing will happen, it has nothing to do with influx, it will just help us, it will reduce the cost of materials especially when we import something from outside the state,” he said.
He further stated that people can choose if they don’t want a passenger train to come. According to him, if goods trains are allowed, there will be no overloaded trucks to cause damage to the roads and accidents and traffic problems. “However, in the end people’s consent is very important,” he concluded.
Mendonlang Pariat says
There is perhaps a need to gather authentic data/information on the impact that the railways have made , beginning with the neighbouring state of Assam .
We have to be clear about the Objectives that should be spelt out.
A study could also to be carried out on the population trends in Urban and Rural East Jaintia Hills District; with another Objective to ensure a Healthy Balance between the Ethnic Communities in the district; in the short run, the medium run and the long run.
One such objective is to ensure that the constituencies( MLA and MDC alike) remain strong in the demographic front ; with all people growing in the most optimal way.
One should not forget to ‘educate’ all units / parts of Society; with all villages and habitations having been apprised of the proposal.
The Autonomous District Council(JHADC) , which became an entity, carved out of the pre-Meghalaya era, i.e. the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council , will have to deliberate on this issue , as most of the land and people in the district falls under it’s domain.