Tamenglong villagers irked over rail line diversion
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 05, 2009: CONCERNED authorities should implement developmental works at underdeveloped villages, stated Mr.Lalkholen Thangneo, chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for restoration of Railway Line Jiri-Tupul.

Raising voice against the concerned authorities' decision to divert the Jiri-Tupul railway line at Lhangnom village in Tamenglong district which is 5 kms before it destined sub-station of Tingmun, the chairman stated that it has been the long cherished dreams of the villages in the area to be developed with the coming of the railway line.

Jiribam-Tupul railway line being developed in the hills of Tamenglong district

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the Manipur Press Club here in Imphal on Wednesday, Mr Lalkholen informed that Jiri-Tupul rail-line has been approved in the interest of 30 villages which are located between the Tingmun, Govakot and Kambiron sub-stations.

Asserting that these 30 villages which lie between the three sub-stations had long dreamt of being developed with the coming of the rail line, Lalkholen held that this diversion would be a crash on the dreams of the villages for development.

Stating further that these 30 villages were still underdeveloped, the chairman of the JAC disclosed that not even a light vehicle such as jeep has entered the village as a means of transportation.

It is in such places that developmental works should be taken up by the concerned authorities, he added.

He further informed that the JAC had also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister wherein they were told to consult the concerned authorities of the railway line with assurance by the chief minister that he would look up to the sudden change of the old alignment.

Lalkholen, the chairman of the JAC also informed that the committee had submitted a petitionl to the general manager (construction) North Frontier (N.F) Railway, Maligaon, Guwahati in Assam, to the deputy chief engineer, N.F.railway (Jeri-Tupul), Silchar, Cachar in Assam for redressal of their grievances over the proposed re-alignment of the Jiri-Tupul railway line which is to be diverted from Lhangnom village which is 5 kms before its destined sub-station of Tingmun.

The JAC also appealed the concerned authorities to re-consider the issue and not to approve the abrupt realignment for the upliftment of the down trodden section of the rural masses.

The JAC also asserted that the committee would not remain silent until its demand was fulfilled.

It is worth mentioning here that the foundation stone of the Imphal-Jiri railway line was laid by Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh during his visit to the state in 2004 .

And till 2009, almost 80 percent of the first 10 kms of rail line from Jiribam's side has been completed.

The chief minister of Manipur, O.Ibobi, during his visit reportedly asserted that the rail line would be completed by 2012 .