Imphal-Jiribam Railway Line spearheading infrastructure development in Manipur

Imphal (Manipur), Jan.21 (ANI) Infrastructure development tops the central government's agenda in the northeast and in this context, the ongoing construction of the 84-kilometer-long Imphal-Jiribam Railway Line in Manipur, assumes significance.

Construction began in late 2004 and is to be completed by 2016 at an estimated cost of Rs.3123 crores.

The broad gauge railway line will pass through the Barak Valley and the proposed Tipaumukh Dam. It will have 35 tunnels and 80 large and small bridges.

The line, which the central government has declared as a national project, is divided into nine stations with Tupul as its last station in Tamenglong District.

P.N. Rao, the site in charge of the project, said: "Work is going on at a good speed and we are progressing really fast. We complete a good part of the entire railway line every month."

The railway will reduce travel time between Imphal and Jiribam that currently takes at least two days by road.

Rumpeo Kamai, the chairman of Sekhaino Village, welcomed this joint initiative of the state and central governments.

"It will reduce travelling time and cost and will help the poor people," Kamai said.

Pavitra Singh, a villager, said: "This is really a good step as it will not only open the way from Jiribam to Imphal, but will also open the door for trade and work across international border. (ANI)