NF stall highlights work progress : Deadline of 2016, 2018 set
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2013 : Construction of 84 Kms long Jiribam-Tupul railway line and the extension of 27 Kms up to Imphal would be completed by 2016 and 2018 respectively as highlighted in the Northern Frontier's premium stall opened at the Manipur Sangai Festival 2013 .

Detailed progress reports of the railway line construction work from Jiribam to Imphal are shown at the stall.

NF Railway officials have also been explaining to all visitors how they have been striving against all odds, the major one being the pathetic condition of NH 37, taking heavy machinery to the work sites and then constructing the railway line which features the world's highest railway bridge with a firm determination to accomplish the task assigned to them.

One visitor asked Northern Frontier Railway Chief Publicity Inspector MMY Alam, "When would Imphal figure in the railway networks of India? We are eagerly awaiting arrival of trains at Imphal" .

To this, MMY Alam stated that construction of railway line up to Tupul would be completed by 2016 and to achieve the target, NF Railway has been putting in maximum labour.

An official of NF explaining

Another visitor echoed the same eagerness saying that the people of Manipur desire rail connectivity between Imphal and the outside world.

Given the deep canyons and steep cliffs seen along Imphal-Jiribam highway, it is no easy task to construct a railway line over such a terrain.

Nonetheless, people have started believing that trains would finally bring passengers and goods to Imphal in the near future.

Another visitor commented that development and progress is a natural instinct of every men.

Even those elements who have been impeding the railway line construction work every now and then would also certainly like to march on the path of development and progress.

Talking to The Sangai Express, MMY Alam listed short working season and frequent disturbances as the two primary reasons for the inability to speed up the railway line construction work.

All railway projects taken up in the North East region face similar constraints of short working season.

These constraints are felt more acutely in Manipur due to frequent bandhs and blockades.

Most of the contractors based in the North Eastern region are not resourceful enough.

The national project of Jiribam-Tupul railway line is not any ordinary project.

This is one project which requires high level of engineering skill.

Although local contractors are not resourceful enough, NF Railway has been executing the project with the help of local contractors and firms.

But large and resourceful firms based outside the region have no intention to come and work here, Alam said.

Informing that 10 contractors have been working on the project between Jiribam and Tupul, he said that the Jiribam-Tupul railway line which is being constructed with the assistance of State machinery would be completed by 2016 .

There would be six stations between Jiribam and Tupul at Dholakhal, Kaimai Road, Kambiron, Thingou, Khongsang and Noney.

Tupul-Imphal section would have two stations at Haochong and Phayeng.

Due tender process is going on for starting construction of Tupul-Imphal railway line.

The same section would have a tunnel of 10.75 Kms and these would be longest of all tunnels through the Jiribam-Imphal railway line would pass through.

It is being targeted to complete the Tupul-Imphal section by 2018, he added.