Rail-line project likely to over shoot deadline
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03, 2010: Even though year 2014 has been set as the renewed deadline for completion of the first phase Jiribam-Tupul rail-line project, only 9.34 pc of the work has been completed till July this year, thereby suggesting that rail connectivity would be delayed for another couple of years.

According to an official source, the 84 kilometre Jiri-Tupul rail project was actually earmarked for completion by 2012 but owing to various obstacles, the period was extended by two more years.

As per revised estimate of the rail project, subsequently upgraded to a National Project, the project cost was pegged at Rs 3123 crores but acquisition of about 312 hectares of land required for laying the rail track and relevant constructions is yet to begin in between kilometres 20.5 and 49.3 of the track-line.

It is informed that previous plans for construction of a bridge over the Barak river, which would be of significant height, has been dropped thereby bringing down the distance to 84 kilometres from the original 98 kilometres, after realignment of the route.

The source also informed that out of about 522 lakhs cubic metres of earth that would have to be removed as the project entails cutting of hilly terrains and construction of tunnels along the rail route, only 126 lakh cubic metre of earthwork has been removed/cut till date.

A map of the Jiri-Imphal rail line

Compared to construction of 20 smaller bridges out of a total of 49 in between Jiri and Tupul, there is still no sign of construction activities of the nine major bridges consequently resulting in delay of track laying works, maintained the source while tunnel construction work of total length of 37.43 kilometres is also yet to commence.

The source, however, conveyed that construction of approach road has been completed for construction of Tunnel Nos.24, 25, 26 and 27, and that 'face-cutting' and 'formation' works have already began at these tunnel sites.

Another stumbling block to the broad-gauge rail-line project is said to be non-clearance from the Ministry of Forest and Environment even though 'topo sheets' of forest areas that would be affected by the Jiri-Tupul Rail-line Project had been placed before the Ministry concerned a long time back.

The source also cited repeated alignment of the Rail-line route between kilometres 15.8 and 39.0 in Barak area taking into account the proposed Tipaimukh Dam and frequent imposition of economic blockades along the land routes as the other important factors hampering execution of the project expeditiously for there is strong apprehension of damage to heavy machinery when they are transported without stability in the situation of the State.

moreover, it is informed that inspite of year 2016 earmarked for completion of the second phase of the National Project covering Tupul to Imphal no relevant ground work has been initiated till date.

As there is strong possibility of displacement of the entire Yurembam village in case the rail track passes through the residential-cum-agricultural pocket of Imphal West district, the State government is said to have decided on slight diversion of the route from its original plan.

the route diversion would also necessitate another realignment which would only extend the delay, opined the source.

Contrary to the Jiri-Tupul Rail-line Project being accorded 'National Project' status and approved for conversion to broad gauge, connectivity beyond Jiribam sub-divisional on similar track would not be practicable without conversion of the Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam section, which is still in metre-gauge.

Apart from absence of relevant works for conversion of Lumding-silchar-Jiribam rail track to broad gauge at the current juncture, materialisation of a wider track conversion programme would be dependent on favourable response from the population of Assam's Hailakandi, Cachar and Karimganj districts, observed the official source.

While the track conversion project is certain to run through the sentiment of the Assam public, the fact that forest and defence land would have to be acquired is another factor likely to cause delay.

It is informed that only after smooth transition of forest and defence land as well as populated locations by the North Frontier railway could the rail-line project authorities expect security provision from the Ministry of Home affairs without which implementation of the project in these insurgency infested areas of the region would be arduous.