The no-objection certificate (NOC) for a railhead has been declined by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

“Our position is very clear. We will not give NOC for the railhead,” said KHADC’s Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne.

When asked if the council will change its mind after all the entry-exit points are set up by the government, he said, “The check gate at Umling (in Ri Bhoi) has been made functional. We will have to see its functioning and effectiveness.” Similar infrastructure needs to be set up in other parts of the state, right till the border areas, he demanded.

“I think the state government has already decided to set up similar entry-exit points elsewhere. It should speed up the process,” Chyne stated putting force on the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) first.

By the year 2023 the Ministry of Railways plans to interlink all state capitals with the railway network. Some pressure groups fear over influx of immigrants for the reason which a 22-km route from Tetelia in Assam to Byrnihat in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district has been put on hold by the Northeast Frontier Railway since May 2017.

Some political parties, such as the Political parties like United Democratic Party said that goods trains would be acceptable up to Byrnihat only. According to the state government there are possibilities of construction of the railway infrastructure if the Centre grants ILP the states.