On maiden inspection, CM hits right chord with Noney
Imphal-Jiri rail line...
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 29 2009: Striking the right chord during his maiden inspection of the Imphal-Jiribam rail line at Noney today, Chief Minister O Ibobi today urged all the concerned not to hesitate to approach him in case of any problem and also assured that from now on he would conduct personal sport inspection of the rail work every three month.

The Chief Minister accompanied by Transport Minister L Jayenta, Transport Commissioner H Imocha and other officials inspected the work progress of the railway platform at Karongmuang near Noney today.

A graphic map of the rail line and the JCBs doing the necessary work for the speedy completion of the project

The foundation stone for the Imphal-Jiribam rail line was laid by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in November 2004, when he visited the State in the backdrop of the mass protests following the custodial killing of Manorama.

Inspecting the work progress amid tight security in view of the bandh imposed on NH-53 by the Oinamlong-Kaimai Village Chiefs Association, the Chief Minister asked the workers and others concerned to approach the Government, if they face any problems in executing their work.

Whether it is security cover or any other issues, the Government will make sure that things are taken care of, assured the Chief Minister.

Talking with the Railway officers, Ibobi assured that he would personally take stock of the progress of the work every three months and urged them to work with dedication.

The rail line laying work is being done by the Northern Frontier Railways.

Speaking to reporters who accompanied the team at Karongmuang, the Chief Minister said that in the first phase, the Jiri-Tupul rail line is expected to be completed by 2012.To meet the deadline, process of laying the rail track from the side of Tupul has also started, besides the ongoing work from the side of Jiribam.

Almost 80 pc of laying the first 10 kms of rail line from the side of Jiribam has been completed, he informed and added that the Centre has also given its nod to start work from the side of Tupul to lay the rail line covering 30 kms.

If the need arises additional security will be deployed for the smooth progress of the work.

Asserting that there are no hindrances in laying the rail line, which has been taken up as a National project, the Chief Minister said that the Centre has agreed to extend the rail line from Tupul to Imphal.

A tunnel covering the distance of 8.1 km will be constructed bring the rail line to Imphal.

There many firms which are capable of constructing such a long tunnel.

Interacting with the people who had come out to accord a warm welcome to the Chief Minister, he said that the once the rail line comes up, it will go a long way in solving the communication problem in the State.

The Chief Minister said that since the rail line is a National project, there will be no dearth of funds and added that the work is being closely monitored by the Prime Minister's Office.

Explaining the reason for the suspending the DC of Tamenglong, the Chief Minister said that the step had to be taken up as he was not found at his place of posting as well as for failing to distribute the money allotted for land acquisition for the rail line to the affected people.

Stating that the working season in Manipur is short, the Chief Minister said the loss of one month working period can deal a big blow to any developmental work.

As such the failure of the DC to dispense with his work sincerely is akin to keeping the people of Manipur under ransom, said the Chief Minister.

Once the process of laying the rail track is finalised, Noney will be transformed to a big township, said the Chief Minister and urged the Railway officers to expedite the work so that the target is met.

Transport Minister L Jayentakumar while interacting with the local people, urged them to take an active role, so that the benefits of the rail line reach out to all.

The local people also assured that they would extend all possible co-operation.

Government Chief Whip MLA T Mangibabu and Tamenglong MLA Khangthuanang also accompanied the Chief Minister.

The estimated cost of the Jiri-Imphal rail line has been pegged at Rs 2714 crores, will have 22 tunnels 93 small bridges, 51 big bridges while the distance between Jiri and Tupul is put at 94 kms and Tupul to Imphal at 24 kms.