Guwahati, April 7 -- The proposed Byrnihat-Shillong railway project has been officially scrapped, with the Meghalaya government preparing to return the funds allocated for land acquisition to the Ministry of Railways.

An official confirmed that Meghalaya will return approximately Rs 209.37 crore, and the necessary paperwork for this process has already begun.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi received the funds on March 30, 2017, to acquire land for the project in the district.

This decision follows shortly after the government formed a committee, headed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, to assess the advantages and disadvantages of railway projects in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

The state's pressure groups have consistently opposed r...