Meghalaya: NFR will reaffirm efforts to build the Byrnihat-Shillong train route.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has chosen to approach the newly-installed MDA 2.0 Government to take a fresh look at the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong railway project because it is unwilling to give up on the central government's vision of connecting all capital cities of the Northeastern states, including Shillong, with the railway network. The railway authorities would approach the state government, according to reports from ST sources from NFR on Sunday, in an effort to overcome the challenges facing the ambitious railway project.

Pressure groups in this region have been opposing both passenger and freight trains out of concern that they will result in a significant inflow of people into the region. Due to ongoing opposition to the railroad project by lawmakers and pressure groups on concerns of influx and risks to the state's indigenous communities, no work has been undertaken in Meghalaya.
Like with the Byrnihat-Shillong project, the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line has also failed to gain traction in Meghalaya while making significant progress in Assam, where more than 75% of the physical building work has been completed.

The 108-km long Byrnihat-Shillong railway project is struggling with a severe law-and-order issue brought on by KSU, the Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on the floor of the House during the recent first phase of the Budget session of Parliament. The minister responded to the inquiry in writing on February 10 and stated that the KHADC must grant a NOC before property can be bought for the railroad project.
The minister provided more information regarding the project's current status, stating that the FLS could not be completed within a 5-km radius.

A total of 100 bridges, the longest of which will be 701 meters long, will be located along the projected Byrnihat-Shillong railway line.
Byrnihat, Sohkhwai, Lailad, Umsong, Umar, Nongsder, Kyrdemkulai, Umroi, Umpling, and New Shillong are the 10 stations that will be along the suggested route.
A total of 31 tunnels totaling 39.06 kilometers in length will be included in the proposed project. Up to 36.03% of the entire rail length will go through tunnels. 4.14 km is the estimated length of the longest tunnel.