CM Biren flags in first goods train at Khongsang station
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 24 2023: Amid shortage of food grains and other essential materials in the state owing to the unrest situation and disturbances caused to regular movement of commercial carriers at Kangpokpi section of the National Highway-2, chief minister N Biren on Monday received the first goods train at Khongsang railway station in Tamen-glong district.

Besides N Biren, ministers K Govindas (Works) Awangbow Newmei (Water Resources) and Kashim Vashum (Transports), HAC chairman and local MLA Dinganlung Gangmei, chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, officials of NF Railways, DCs of Notiey and Tamenglong districts and CSO leaders were also present when the train reached the Khongsang railway station.

CM Biren later tweeted: "Delighted to witness the momentous arrival of the inaugural goods train at Khongsang railway station today.

"This development her aids a plethora of opportunities for the people of Manipur, promising expedited transportation of goods and essential commodities.

The potatoes from West Bengal and FMCG products from Assam were among the items already booked for Manipur.

The goods train reached Khongsang at 12:20 pm after it was flagged off on Sunday from New Guwahati NF Railway Station.

Speaking at the event, CM Biren hailed the central government led PM Narendra seamless logistics shall undoubtedly catalyse industrial growth, augment trade and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life.

"Grateful to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for his pivotal role in advancing the state's economic prospects through this monumental initiative" .

Onions from Maharashtra, Modi for transforming and expediting the previous government's Look East Policy to Act East Policy and ensuring rail connectivity in all the north-eastern states.

He expressed elation that with the coming of goods train to Manipur, the bottleneck of transportation of essential commodities will ease to some extent.

The CM also conveyed gratitude to the Zeliangrong people of both Noney and Tamenglong district and CSO leaders for their fullest cooperation to construction of rail line and other related matters and assured to the people of Khongsang that a Guest House and a playground will be constructed at the village.

He expressed happiness on receiving the goods train at this crucial juncture adding that it would ease the hardship faced by the people of Manipur due to shortage of essential commodities.

He continued that Manipur, being a landlocked state and frequent disruption by landslide, the operation of train would definitely help accelerate development of the state.

Urging the Zeliangrong people, civil society organisations, Joint Tribe Council to take initiative in developing a railway department, N Biren also sought support of the people in restoring peace and tranquillity in the state, while stating that normalcy would come only through prayer and support of the people.

The traders' representatives of Manipur thanked the Chief Minister and expressed confidence of reduction in prices of essential commodities, if the supplies come in bulk.

Sources in the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said that following the announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Manipur from May 29 to June 1, the railway authority in association with Assam's transport department on Sunday dispatched the first goods trains carrying food grains and essential commodities to Manipur.

NFR's chief PRO Sabyasachi De said that the Khongsang railway station has been opened for loading and unloading of essential commodities and other food items.

The NFR has been constructing the 111 km-long Ji-ribam-Imphal railway project which has already achieved physical progress of 94 per cent and is scheduled to be completed by December this year.

The line was earlier suspended due to the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, the CPRO said, adding that a marketing inspector has been specially deputed in Imphal for the convenience of Manipur- based traders to book the commodities through Railways.

The marketing inspector will be available round-the-clock for any queries of the traders.

All Manipur-based traders can now avail the facility of booking essential commodities from the Khongsang station, the official said.

De added that under special consideration for the state, piecemeal booking of wagons has been allowed for the time-being.

In the wake of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur leading to scarcity of essential items, the NFR in cooperation with Assam's transport department sent the first goods trains carrying essential commodities to violence-hit Manipur, officials said.

Khongsang station was commissioned in 2022 under the Jiribam Imphal new line project.

The line was suspended after ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3 .

The initiatives taken by the NFR is expected to be of big help for the people of Manipur in the prevailing scenario, he said.

Altogether, 12 bogies of essential commodities reached the Khongsang station with each bogie having capacity of 60 metric tonnes.

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