Fund paucity slows down railway work
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2013 :
Work on the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway project has slowed down because of fund paucity.
The same matter was put up before Chief Minister O Ibobi during a meeting this afternoon by officials of North Eastern Frontier Railway who are executing the project.
After assessing the situation, the Chief Minister assured that he will write to the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram about the matter so that necessary funds are released and ensure that the railway project is completed within the stipulated period.
Notably, the Government of India has already declared Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway project as a national project.
Ibobi also instructed the DGP to open a temporary police outpost between Jiribam and Nungba in order to assist the railway work in the form of providing security, informed an official source.
The meeting agreed that the State PWD would make roads up to the places where tunnels are being bored for the railway line at the earliest possible time while IOC would open a diesel depot either at Khongsang or Rengpang so as to expedite the execution of the railway project.
Railway officials expressed satisfaction over the Tamenglong DC's engagement in the land acquisition process for the railway project.
The official source further exuded confidence that Noney would evolve into a major township once the railway line is constructed.
Notably, the target for completion of Jiri-Tupul section is 2014 and for Tupul-Imphal section, it is 2016 .
A dry run of a train engine has already been conducted earlier.