Shift rail line from Marangching area : BJP Tamenglong
Paddy fields sink due to rail tunnels being dug : Committee
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2022: As a result of tunnels being dug by NF Railway for the Jiribam-Imphal railway, some paddy fields of Tairenpokpi, Imphal West have reportedly started sinking.

Meanwhile, BJP Tamenglong district has sought shifting of the railway line from Marangching area.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Tairenpokpi Village Committee member Ningthoujam Lokendro said that the NF Railway did not take consent of the local villagers before digging the tunnels.

The NF Railway is currently digging a tunnel and it was known only when some portions of paddy fields started sinking, Lokendro said.

He said that the sinking started before the devastating Marangching landslide.

Shift rail line from Marangching area : BJP Tamenglong

The tunnel being dug at present is not within the area acquired and compensated by the authorities earlier.

Forget about obtaining consent, the villagers were not even informed before digging the tunnel, he said.

As the paddy fields have started sinking, villagers do not feel secure in undertaking agricultural activities on these fields, he conveyed.

On being enquired about the new tunnel, it turned out that district administration, Imphal West was also totally ignorant.

Nonetheless, a written complaint was submitted to the Imphal West DC yesterday, Lokendro said.

It is suspected that the tunnel would have its ends at Tairenpokpi and Atong Khuman via Kangdabi but the villagers have no idea regarding which areas would be affected and how much progress has been made.

The villagers have decided to stop the tunnel digging work until an understanding is reached with the NF Railway or the State Government or other authority concerned, he said.

He warned that the villagers are ready to launch different modes of agitation, if necessary.

Meanwhile, BJP Tamenglong District has suggested shifting of Jiribam-Imphal railway line from Makhom-Marangching tunnel site (loose soil zone/earthquake prone zone) to Pongringlong and towards Imphal valley via Tungteng (Kotlen) .

A press release issued by BJP Tamenglong district president M Daniel urged the authority concerned to re-investigate and conduct soil test, geological and seismic survey once again for the safety of the railway and surface roads and the passengers who would be travelling through the area.

While acknowledging Chief Minister N Biren's announcement to re-investigate and conduct geological, seismic and soil test for the sake of public safety, road and railway lines, the BJP Tamenglong district urged the State Government to redress the grievances caused by submergence of wet paddy fields and other arable lands along Ijei River basin by the devastating Marangching landslide.