Jiri-Imphal railway expected by 2018-20
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 24 2014:
Construction work of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line is expected to be fully complete by 2018-20 even though no definite deadline could be set.
Notably, foundation stone for the railway line was laid by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh 10 years back in November 2004 .
The North East Frontier Railway (NEFR) which is responsible for construction of the railway line has opened a stall at the ongoing Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 where details of the railway line and its construction works are bring provided to visitors.
The estimated cost of the 111 Kms long Jiribam-Imphal railway line is Rs 5996 crore which is divided into Rs 4599 crore for Jiribam-Tupul section and Rs 1397 crore for Tupul-Imphal section.
The railway line would have nine stations, one each at Dolakhal, Kaimai road, Kambiron, Thingou, Khongsang, Noney, Tupul, Haochong road and Imphal.
The railway track would pass over a 141 metres high girder rail bridge which would be the world's tallest rail bridge.
Construction of this bridge would require 2,55,000 quintals of cement, 60,000 quintals of reinforcement steel, 22,000 quintals of steel plates and 75,000 quintals of structural steel.
The estimated cost of the bridge is Rs 280 crore and it is being targeted for completion by March 31, 2016.The railway line would pass through nine tunnels and the longest one would be in Tupul-Imphal section.
Altogether 5000 people are engaged in the construction of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line.
So far the project has been completed by about 66 per cent and it would have five major bridges and 112 minor bridges.