Sanajaoba enquires about Jiribam-Imphal railway project
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 04 2023:
During the budget session yesterday, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba raised several questions regarding the North East Frontier Railways and the Jiribam-Imphal railway project.
The MP asked the Ministry concerned if a deadline has been drawn to complete the Jiribam-Imphal rail line and the reasons if a timeline has not been drawn.
He also asked if the Ministry has decided on the percentage of seats to be reserved for the people of Manipur in the recruitment/jobs related to the railway line.
In addition, Leishemba Sanajaoba also enquired if it was possible for fast trains like Vande Bharat to operate in NE region.
Replying to the questions raised, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Jiribam to Imphal rail line is a 111 Kms long project.
An amount of Rs 12,371 crore was spent in 2022 (till March 31) and further for 2022-23, a fund of Rs 1000 crore has been earmarked.
55 Kms long Jiribam-Khongsang has been commissioned.
The Minister said that completion of the project depends on many factors including State Government's land acquisition, clearance form Forest Department, geological settings of the area, topography, weather and climate conditions and number of working months available in a year.
Best efforts are being put in to complete the project, he added.
On jobs, the Minister said Indian Railways is pan India and all eligible candidates irrespective of their domicile are free to apply for jobs according to advertisement issued for the same.
There is no reservation based on domicile in the recruitments.
Operation of Vande Bharat Express train depends on the operational feasibility and resources available, he added.
On Leishemba Sanajaoba's query about fake Aadhaar cards, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar said the Aadhaar system is secure and if law enforcing agencies have reports about fake Aadhaar cards then all involved in the crime will be arrested and punished under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and other Acts concerned.