Member of Parliament from Tura Parliamentary constituency, Saleng A Sangma has written to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister with what he called an “urgent request for enhanced railway connectivity and infrastructure development at Mendipathar Railway Station, Meghalaya.”
“I am writing to bring to your esteemed attention the critical need for railway infrastructure development in the state of Meghalaya, particularly focusing on Mendipathar Railway Station, which serves as the sole operational railway station in our entire state,” he stated in his letter.
The MP pressed for vista dome train services from Kolkata to Mendipathar, super-fast trains to Kanyakumari, Mumbai, and New Delhi, and a full-fledged goods train network.
“Enhanced goods connectivity will unlock the economic potential of our region and create employment opportunities,” he said.
Calling Mendipathar “not merely a regional requirement but a national imperative,” Sangma added, “I am confident that under your visionary leadership, the railway connectivity of Meghalaya will receive the attention it deserves, bringing prosperity and progress to our region while strengthening the bonds of our great nation.”
Speaking on Media persons about the letter and the concerns of influx, he remarked, “The train enters only 14 kilometres from the Assam border till Mendipathar… since it’s only a two passenger train, till now not much of influx is there.”
He cautioned, “If we make a bigger platform, then we might have to look at the security side also… unless there is a proper place like security checkpoints then I cannot risk my people.”
Sangma stressed his demand was limited to expansion from Mendipathar itself. “I want the expansion of the train and extend it the route from Mendipathar to Kanyakumari, to Mumbai, to Delhi to Kolkata. Right now it’s only operating from Mendipathar to Guwahati only and no other goods train,” he said.
