Imphal, March 19: The survey work of the first stretch of 25 kms of the Jiribam to Tupul rail line has been completed, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in-charge of the Works Department informed the Assembly today.

In response to a question raised by Opposition MLA Radhabinod Koijam, the Chief Minister said although the survey work began in May 2005, the progress of the work has been rather slow as some changes in the alignment of the proposed Railway route had to be made.

Nonetheless, the State Government has written to the Deputy Chief Engineer (ConstructionIII) of the Railway Board, NF Railways based at Silchar for sanctioning the required fund to begin construction work along the route where the survey work has been completed.

The Chief Minister further informed the House that necessary instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioners concerned for initiating necessary steps for acquisition of the required land for laying the Railway line and the survey work for the remaining route is being taken up on a war footing.

Replying to a supplementary question from Radhabinod Koijam, the Chief Minister said the proposal for construction of Tipaimukh Multi-purpose Project runs into the alignment of the Railway line.

After this was detected and studied thoroughly by the Railway authority, the same has been rectified.

Further necessary changes, if there is any, would be made on receiving reports from NEEPCO, he said.

In his reply to a question raised by MLA of Singhat AC T Hangkhanpao, FCS Minister Th Debendra said there is enough food grain in stock for Churachandpur district.

The Agencies concerned may lift the same after depositing the necessary amount, he added.

Supplementing this, the Chief Minister informed the House that arrangements have been made for construction of godowns having the capacity for storing 2500 metric tonne of foodgrain at Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong districts apart from setting up principal food centres at all the district headquarters.

In response to a question raised by MLA Dr N Bijoy of teh MPP, PHE Minister Th Haokip informed that out of four water supply schemes taken up at Angom Leikai, Sawombung, Khomidok and Phaknung of Khurai Assembly Constituency, three have been completed.

Moreover, efforts are being made to commission the water supply schemes at Khurai Heikrumakhong and Kangla Siphai within September this year.

To another question raised by Doukhomang Khongsai, the Chief Minister said adequate amount had been earmarked in the Budget for construction of the Imphal-Saikul Road and assured that the Government would look into why the work is not being able to complete on time.

In response to another question raised by MLA Th Nabakumar, The Chief Minister informed the House that there are in all 31 Government schools in Khundrakpam AC and efforts are being made to fill up 90 post which are lying vacant from out of the total number of teachers required in these schools.

To the question of MLA Morung Makunga, the Chief Minister said Border Road Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted with the task of repairing/improving all the National Highways in Manipur including the stretch of the NH-39 from Mao to Moreh.

In accordance to the announcement made by the Prime Minister, the BRO would start executing the work for upgrading Maram-Moreh road to four-lane, he added.

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