Rail link to Baghmara could transform M’laya’s economy: Rakkam A Sangma

CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: A railway connection to Baghmara could unlock massive economic potential for Meghalaya - boosting trade with Bangladesh, creating employment, and accelerating industrial growth in tourism, transport, and agriculture. Banking on these transformative benefits, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has urged Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to pursue the rail expansion proposal with the Centre.

"I have given a memorandum to the Chief Minister requesting him to extend the connection of railways from Mendipathar to Baghmara via Nongalbibra or via Tura, Tikrikilla, Dalu etc.," Rakkam told reporters on Monday.

"Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will definitely take up the proposal with the Government of India," he asserted, stressing that the CM fully understands the initiative's importance for Meghalaya's long-term economic progress.

Rakkam recalled the region's once-thriving trade with East Pakistan before Partition disrupted cross-border commerce. He said a renewed railway network would restore Meghalaya's access to international markets and allow the state to capitalize on its natural resources and cultural exports.

The minister also underlined how the rail link would open up thousands of job opportunities and reduce the region's dependence on government employment.

"This will generate jobs and reduce our dependence on government employment," he said, adding that improved connectivity would be the key to unlocking Meghalaya's untapped economic potential.

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