Imphal, November 03 2008: Concerned over the protracted delayed in laying the railway line from Jiri to Imphal, which is one of the National projects, despite arranging required security from the side of the State Government, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh would be writing to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister in this regard.

It was decided that Chief Minister should personally write to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister to find out the cause of delay in laying the railway line during a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on October 18 .

The meeting discussed the Action Taken Report of the Core Development Programmes of the State.

The project of laying the railway line from Jiri to Imphal is also one of the Core Development Programmes.

The meeting expressed serious concern over the delay in laying the railway line even after the rainy season has been over and the silence maintained by the Railway authorities on the issue.

Participating in the meeting, Transport Commissioner disclosed that construction of the railway line for the first 9.9 km from Jiribam had commenced after acquisition of the required land and efforts are on to nominate a consultant in connection with construction of the tunnels through which the railway line would pass through.

On other Core Development Programmes, the meeting decided that Rural Development Commissioner should submit a proposal to the DONER Ministry seeking additional fund under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts which have been affected by bamboo flowering.

Keeping in mind the target of constructing 5800 houses within the current fiscal year under the IAY scheme, the meeting also entrusted all the Deputy Commissioners to initiate necessary steps for identification and selection of the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, along with deciding that the election of the District Council should be held within two and half month's time, the meeting endorsed that the State Govt and the MHA should take a decision at the earliest.

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