Guwahati: The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in Meghalaya denies granting of any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a railway survey in the district, Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat reportedly stated.

This decision comes amid strong opposition from various pressure groups in the state, who are demanding a halt to the proposed Chaparmukh-Jowai railway line until measures are implemented to regulate immigration.

Shiwat clarified that the district council has not received any application for a railway survey, prompting VPP MDC Deivipaya T Tongper to query about the status of the project. The proposed 180-km railway project, initiated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), aims to connect Chaparmukh Junction in Assam with Jowai in Meghalaya, enhancing connectivity between the two states.

However, fears of large-scale migration into Meghalaya have led the JHADC to deny the NOC.

The council has been urged to reject the project until effective measures are in place to regulate immigration.