Goods train to reach Khongsang station today
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2023:
Amid the current tension disrupting supply of essential commodities on road, a goods train, for the first time, has been flagged off from Guwahati to Khongsang Railway Station, Tamenglong district today.
Setting a new milestone the goods train was flagged off from Guwahati Railway Station for Manipur by Rituraj Borthakur, Northeast Frontier Railway's Assistant Commercial Manager, Guwahati.
The goods train will reach Manipur's Khongsang tomorrow, said officials.
It may be noted that the train service has been initiated to provide essential supplies and other goods to Manipur amid the ethnic crisis that first erupted on May 3 .
Before this, the State depended on the National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 for supply of essential items and other goods and commodities.
While the National Highway-37 was shut by Kuki organisations and SoO militants since the early stage of the violence in Manipur, the State was relying on the supply brought in via the National Highway-2, which is also in a pathetic condition due to rains that has disrupted supply.
The goods train service came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Manipur recently, stated that the Khongsang Railway Station would be made operational temporarily to ferry goods 'within a week' .
Even as the train is expected to reach Khongsang station tomorrow, officials said the Manipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with the Indian Railways had been working to materialise this maiden feat.
Meanwhile, on Facebook, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the flagging off of the goods train from Guwahati to Khongsang "marks a new era of faster and efficient connectivity for Manipur" while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
"In a significant milestone, the first goods train loaded with essential commodities has been flagged off from Guwahati goods yard, bound for Khongsang Railway Station in Tamenglong District.
This marks a new era of faster and efficient connectivity for Manipur.
"My heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji for making this possible.
Also, thankful to Hon'ble Transport Minister Shri Khashim Vashum and the officials for their efforts in these challenging times," said CM N Biren Singh in his Facebook post.
Officials said the train consists of 26 wagons containing essential supplies such as onions, potatoes and sugar etc.
Manipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry's former general secretary Jotin Thokchom, trader Santa Nahakpam and NF Railway staff were present in the flagging off ceremony.