Khongsang get first rice shipment, CM vows ample supply
Source: Chronicle News Service

Noney, July 13 2024: The first-ever food grains consignment train carrying rice arrived at Khongsang train station in Noney district on Saturday at around 11:00 am.

The train, consisting of 15 wagons, departed from Dhuri in Punjab on July 6 carrying 19,359 bags of rice (9,487 quintals), which amounts to 949 metric tonnes.

Each compartment has a total of 1,290 rice bags.

Mention may be made here that shortly after its inauguration, the first freight train consignment reached the Khongsang station on July 24 last year.

Another shipment of cement also arrived at the station on May 27 this year.

Saturday's inaugural rice consignment was received by Chief Minister N Biren and his cabinet colleagues, including water resources minister Awangbow Newmai and Hill Areas Committee chairman Dinganglung Gangmei.

Speaking at the reception programme, CM Biren lauded the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its commitment to fulfilling the dreams of the people of Manipur despite many hindrances.

Biren, who travelled by helicopter to Khongsang railway station to receive the rice consignment train, said that despite various challenges faced in the last 14 months, the government has remained committed to ensuring that people do not face shortages of food grains, essential commodities, and fuel.

He appreciated the officials of Food Corporation of India (FCI), Railways, security personnel, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), village authority of Khongsang, and other stakeholders for their full cooperation and support.

He expressed optimism thatregular arrival of goods trains at Khongsang station would help alleviate transportation bottlenecks for goods coming from other states.

The CM also assured the gathering that a guest house would be constructed soon at Khongsang as previously demanded by the villagers.

In response to media queries about the maintenance of NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road), the CM said that discussions had already been held with the officials of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) about improving the maintenance of the highway, with work continuing day and night for the early completion of the tarred road.

It is worth mentioning that 60 FCI trucks are ready to transport the rice to Imphal with security convoy.

The event was also attended by DC Noney Sharath Chandra Arroju, FCI deputy general manager (region) K Satya Kumar, FCI Imphal divisional manager Adani Mao, NF Railways' assistant commercial manager (Lumding Region) Dipankar Sarkar, and other top officials from FCI and Railways, as well as police and army officers, village authority leaders of Khongsang village, and CSO leaders.

Comment