Jiri-Imphal rail project nears key milestone
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 25 2025: The Jiribam-Imphal railway project, a 111-kilometre line cutting across the state's challenging landscape, is advancing rapidly as Indian Railways pushes to boost regional connectivity and economic growth.

Despite the difficult terrain, the project has achieved notable milestones in tunnelling, bridge construction and station development.

A centrepiece of this massive infrastructure drive is the under-construction world's tallest railway pier bridge, which nears completion.

Equally significant is the tunnelling work with 59 kilometres of the 61.32 kilometres of tunnelling already completed out of the 52 tunnels planned.

Thingujam Dolendro, the project manager, said that tunnelling operations are on track for completion by 2027."This is the first shaft of its kind in the Northeast and for the Northeast Frontier Railway.

Once excavation through the shaft is done, tunnel construction will accelerate," ANI quoted the project manager as saying.

Bridge construction is also making strong headway.

Out of 11 major bridges, five are already complete, while 81 of the 138 planned minor bridges have been built.

Station development continues steadily as well, with 6 of 11 stations finished.

The operational Khongsang station in Noney district has already opened new travel opportunities for locals.

Another major feature of the project is the Sangaithel Tunnel, poised to become the Northeast's longest railway tunnel at nearly 10 kilometres.

For enhanced safety, two parallel tunnels are being built, one for train operations and'the other for emergency evacuation and rescue.

Local residents are optimistic about the transformation the railway will bring.

"Right now, it takes over 10 hours to reach Silchar by road.

When the train starts, travel time will be halved, and costs will come down.

It's difficult to move goods by truck, but the train will solve that, " the news agency quoted a local resident named Laishram Premjit.

Workers involved in the project also recognise its wider social impact.

"Everyone wants development," said Arvind Kumar, a labourer from Bihar.

"This project will bring stability and unity.

People are starting to coexist better, and conditions are improving" .

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