Act East Policy and Indian Railway Network in Imphal

James Khangenbam *

Jiribam-Silchar first daily passenger train flagged off on May 27 2016 :: Pix - Momo Thoudam

People in the state have many speculations about Act East Policy. Many hopes and promises gathered from high level meetings are published in the newspaper. Trade between two nations Myanmar and India are going on at the border town, Moreh.

Who would benefit most when the ongoing railway construction extends till the Indo Myanmar border town Moreh, remains a big question. Will Manipur remain just a transit point?

Before the rail network extends till Myanmar and when it reaches Imphal, the economy of the State would be a big lift.

Our economy will have a good lift when train approaches Imphal. The building materials like iron and cement will be available at a fair price. Imphal seem to be reeling in a desert when it comes to fair price market. Train will ferry and cut the cost in transportation. More so the extortion along the national highway could be avoided.

It could also serve as a cheaper cost of travelling for students and civilians. It would be a boon to many. With the balance in price of all commodities there could be more development and demand of skilled labors.

Besides, the day is approaching when all products could be delivered easily at a cheaper cost to all corners of the vast nation. What are the finished goods and natural products we can export as the train moves out of the State?

What are the logistic? Do we need to improve our public transportation locally? Be it vegetable or fruits it is the availability in the market that matters as people will pick up from there. With train coming in, will there be competition in the locally available natural products too.

Of course ginger, king chilly, pineapple will get the privilege to enjoy train ride when they move out of the State. So are Kouna products, handmade garments and handicraft products. But to what scale do we need to prepare. Is the market becoming more accessible with the coming of train in the near future?

When it comes to transnational trade via railway network passing through Manipur what could be the tradable items from Manipur or what business set up the locals can establish would be an interesting thing to ponder upon.

Just like factory finished cheaper Lungri from India are supplied to Myanmar on a large scale passing through Manipur and unloading at the border town Moreh. Cheap and high quality blankets from Myanmar could be easily shipped to mainland India on a large scale when railway network finds it place at Imphal.

The other way round if Manipur can establish textile factories to make Lungri, it could be the biggest supplier of Lungri to Myanmar. But can it compete the Lungri manufacturing companies in India. Perhaps yes as the transportation cost will be much reduced.

More so many shops selling tradable goods from Myanmar could find its place at Railway stations inside Manipur once the railway network reaches Imphal in due course of time. India being a large country many willing person from the State could become supplier of cheap and good quality commodities from Myanmar with the coming of railway network and Act East Policy.

The business is simple but the scale will decide the economic boom of the State.