No definite reply from Railway Minister
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 11 2018:
Even as Union Minister of Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal held a press conference cum video conference today on the achievements and initiatives on Railways and Coal sector during the past four years, the Union Minister could not give a definite answer on the present status and progress of Jiribam-Imphal railway project.
This reporter asked the Railways Minister when train connectivity to Imphal would be established.
But Piyush Goyal stated that he had not come prepared for each and every project as done during Parliament session.
Nonetheless, the Union Minister assured that a written reply would be sent soon.
Later, PIB sent an SMS saying that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Guwahati based North East Zone Director General would send a reply soon.
Notably, the press conference which was held at National Media centre, New Delhi was connected with 12 cities of the country including Imphal through video conferencing mode.
Piyush Goyal released a booklet highlighting the achievements of the Railways and Coal Ministries in the past four years, and State wise achievements booklets of the Ministry of Railways.
Two mobile applications - the 'Rail Madad' and 'Menu on Rails' were also launched on the occasion.
NF Railway Engineers who took part in the video conference at Imphal said that the Jiribam-Imphal railway project is divided into two sections - Jiribam-Tupul and Tupul-Imphal.
The railway line from Jiribam to Imphal would be 110 Kms in length and it would have 47 tunnels of total length 65 Kms.
So far, construction of tunnels covering 51 Kms has been completed.
The railway line will also have 32 rail bridges including six at very high altitude.
There will be a girder rail bridge at Noney which would be the highest railway bridge in the world at 141 metres from ground, said the engineers.