India, July 18 -- Union minister of state for cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar on Friday urged the Meghalaya government to engage in dialogue with groups opposing railway projects aimed at connecting all northeast state capitals by rail.

"The Prime Minister's vision is to ensure strong and seamless connectivity across the country-be it through railways or airports-in every state capital," Gurjar said.

The centre had proposed two railway lines - a 22-km stretch from Tetelia in Assam to Byrnihat in Meghalaya and a 108-km stretch from Byrnihat to Shillong. The Tetelia-Byrnihat project, for which Rs.496 crore was sanctioned, has seen significant groundwork but remains stalled now.

The debate over railway connectivity in Meghalaya has been a ...