Imphal: Union minister of State for Railways and Textiles, Darshana Jardosh on Thursday said that the Jiribam-Imphal railway project will not only enhance the connectivity of the region with other parts of the country but boost tourism in Manipur.
The Union minister, while addressing the media at Hotel Imphal today before concluding her four-day visit in the state, said that the national project is all set to meet its completion target.
The project is targeted to complete by December 2023 and about 80% of the project has been completed, she said, informing that she had personally visited some of the ongoing construction sites yesterday (Wednesday).
The 111 km Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal Railway project was taken up as a national project with an estimated cost of Rs 12,264.15 crore.
The project is targeted to complete by December 2023.
“I have personally inspected the progress works of some of the tunnels and bridges including the highest bridge which the construction is in progress. I am satisfied with the current pace of progress,” the Union minister said.
She lauded the Manipur government for its cooperation extended in the Northeastern Railways in the implementation of the project.
The state government is coordinating the railway authorities very well. As such, there has been a marked progress in the project in the last four years, she said.
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She informed that the construction of the highest bridge as well as the tunnels is now 50% completed and the overall completion is around 80%.
Once the project is completed, besides enhancing the land connectivity, it will boost the tourism sector of the state, she said, citing various special features and scenic beauty of the mountainous region which the railway line is passing through.
The Northeastern Frontier Railway is also planning to set up picnic spots at various locations along the railway line in consultation with the state government, she said.
The Union Railway ministry is also very concerned so far as safety of the passengers is concerned, she said, while recalling the recent devastating landslide tragedy at the railway project site at Marangching in Noney district that claimed several lives including personnel of the Territorial Army and railways’ staff.
All safety measures to prevent the occurrence of such a tragic incident will be put in place along the whole stretch of the railway line. Alarm system is being installed at strategic locations.
The ministry of railways is consulting with the experts of the IIT and other pertinent authorities experts in the field, she said.
The Union minister also lauded the authorities of the Northeastern Frontier Railways on learning that they are using geotextiles and agro-textiles products in the implementation of the project.
NNN
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