Imphal, July 11 2010: Survey work for the construction of railhead and rail-fed depot at Malom in Imphal has been completed and acquisition of land and payment of compensations to affected landowners started, official source said Sunday.

Manipur government is hoping of easing the problems facing in the state regarding the procurements of goods from other states of the country through the national highways with the completion of the construction of the railhead in Imphal.

The extension of railway line upto Imphal from Jiribam and construction of railhead station in Imphal along with rail-fed fuel depot is targeting to complete by 2012 .

The state is expected to get relieve from irregular flow of essential goods through rail, source said.

Official source said that land acquisition of total area of 35.615 acres at Tuliyaima and Tulihal, Imphal west has been completed for construction rail head and rail fed depot for petroleum products.

With the completion of the survey, government has started payment of compensation to the landowners.

Three fishery ponds and reserved forest area which were left out in earlier survey works were surveyed Friday with officials of fishery departments, the source said.

Imphal West District Collector K Radhakumar, by an order on June 11, has declared the area for construction of a rail fed petroleum depot for public purpose, prior to it by an order last April 12, the district collector Imphal West has given no objection certificate to the manager of Indian Oil Cooperation Limited, Imphal office, Chingmeirong in utilizing the area for purpose of construction of petroleum depot.

The source further said that that government has acquire 35.615 acres of land belonging to 50 land owners and major amount of Rs 2,84,99,019 earmarked for compensation has been disbursed.

Only few land owners are left out for the payment.

The rail line will pass through Konthoujam and Sagoltongba of Imphal West District while reaching Malom Makha Leikai Boroimakhong.

The railhead station will be constructed at Malom Makha Leikai Boroi Makhong, the source said.

Villagers of the area stated that officials had completed erection of milestones painted with red colour in the proposed line four months ago.

Meanwhile displaced people by the project have been settled at newly at Malom Makha Leikai Maning Hawairou village have expressed fear of displacement again with the rail head work expansion.

The source further mentioned that government is targeting to complete the construction work by 2012 .

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