Imphal, September 08, 2010: Realignment of Tupul-Imphal railway line, of which the survey has been completed recently, may be done in order to save Yurembam village from extinction.

Yurembam village was under threat of extinction as government planned to acquire more land of the village for extension of the railway line from Tupul to Imphal, which is to be taken up after completion of the Jiribam-Tupul railway line.

Some areas of the village had already been affected by the expansion of the power sub-station of the Power Grid Corporation of India at the village.

An official source said government is considering for realignment of the railway line considering the threat of extinction of the village.

A high level meeting will be convened to discuss the realignment proposal.

The meeting will discuss on the diversion of the railway line skirting the village, the source added.

Yurembam village in Imphal west has been a victim of government developmental projects since 1985-86 when a major portion of the village was taken over by the government for construction of the existing 132 KV Power Sub-station and staff quarters of the officials of the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI).

Of late government had planned to acquire more land needed to augment the existing 132 KV to 400 KV Power Sub-station.

Government wanted to upgrade the sub-station in order to facilitate import of power from other North East states.

At the latest, government has acquired 25.8 acres of land of the village for the augmentation project despite strong protests from the residents of the village and its surroundings.

On the other hand survey work for the rail head and rail fed depot at Malom has been completed and the payment of compensations to affected landowners have also begun.

The railway track laying work is targeted to be completed by 2012. Land acquisition of a total area of 35.615 acres at Tuliyaima and Tulihal, Imphal west have been completed for construction a rail head and a rail fed depot for petroleum products.

Among others, Yurembam is once again listed among the affected villages where the railway line is to pass, according to the survey report.

If more land is to be taken over from the village, the village will face extinction.

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