SHILLONG : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday reiterated the need for unity and consensus among political parties and stakeholders before proceeding with the proposed railway project in the Khasi-Jaintia region.
Stressing that the government will not move forward without broad agreement, Sangma said, “We are very clear — we are going to move forward only when we are able to consult and get everybody on board.”
The Chief Minister expressed disappointment over the absence of several political parties during the recently convened all-party meeting held to discuss the sensitive issue. According to him, meaningful dialogue is essential to arrive at a workable solution.
Calling upon opposition parties to participate in discussions, Sangma said that disagreement should not prevent dialogue. “Whether we agree or disagree, unless we talk, we are not going to reach anywhere,” he added.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, the Chief Minister stated that efforts will continue to educate people about the potential benefits of the railway project while addressing public concerns and apprehensions. He noted that the aim is to reach a common meeting point before taking the matter forward to the central government in Delhi.
While underlining the economic importance of railway connectivity for Meghalaya, Sangma acknowledged that the issue remains sensitive and requires careful and inclusive consideration.
The Meghalaya government had earlier constituted an all-party committee to deliberate on the railway project; however, some political parties declined to be part of the committee.