Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2010:
With regard to the Jiribam-Tupul railway line, the North east Frontier Railway has explicitly clarified that the realignment was done to enable connectivity to Imphal from Tupul and also to avoid sub-mergence level of Tipaimukh Dam.
In a letter addressed to Transport Director BK Sharma, the NF Railway said that initial survey sanctioned for a new line from Jiribam to Imphal was proposed to be terminated at Tupul which is 53 Kms short of Imphal as connecting Imphal was not found feasible due to high hill ranges between Tupul and Imphal.
In August 2007, the Railway Board advised NF Railway to submit an updated survey report including the extension of line from Tupul to Imphal.
Accordingly, an updated report was submitted.
It was found that flattening of the gradient would increase length and cost of the railway project, abnormally.
Subsequently changes were made in alignment and levels as compared to the earlier report.
The new alignment is easier than the earlier alignment in view of accessibility.
Moreover, there is a reduction in overall length of about 14.326 Kms due to the change of alignment, mentioned the letter.