NSCN (IM)’s directive threatens to derail Jiri-Tupul rail lineNEFR asks State Govt to provide foolproof security, longest tunnel of 8.5 kms, bridge over Barak river on rail map.IMPHAL, Oct 30 : Even as the North East Frontier Railways has intimated to the State Government that it plans to start work on digging up a 8.5 km long tunnel between Tupul and Imphal for the proposed railway line from November this year, the NSCN (IM) has issued a directive banning all activities related to the laying of the rail track.
The directive issued on August 24 this year by the Ministry of Chaplee of the NSCN (IM), makes it clear that the IM group has decided to ban all contract works related to the Jiribam to Tupul rail line with immediate effect.
The directive issued under the signature of K Among, secretary to the GPRN, said, “As per the decision of the Government (GPRN), I am to inform you that the contract works for Jiribam to Tupul (Railway tender) has been banned with immediate effect until further order. The concerned implementing agencies are directed to stop and vacate the work site immediately.”
The directive warned that failure to comply with the order will result in the work site, materials/ machines being burnt down while labourers would be arrested.
The directive was issued under the instructions of the Kiloner of Chaplee, GPRN.
Significantly, the directive of the NSCN (IM) came against the backdrop of the plans of the State Government to set up a number of important infrastructure at Jiribam, such as the FCI godown.
Following the directive issued by the NSCN (IM), the North East Frontier Railways, which is the implementing agency, has asked the State Government to provide foolproof security so that the work can progress smoothly, said a reliable source while talking to The Sangai Express.
The State Government on its part has already assured full security, said the source and added that the NEFR intends to start work on a 8.5 km long tunnel from November this year.
Elaborating, the source said that the 8.5 kms long tunnel will come up between Tupul and Imphal and will be the longest rail tunnel in the country.
Other than this, the NEFR has also informed the State Government that a 4.5 km long tunnel will come up between Okoklong near Khongsang and Irang.
Besides this, a bridge will also be constructed over the Barak river.
The NEFR has already intimated to the State Government to provide the necessary security cover so that work on the tunnels and the bridge can start from November this year.
The two tunnels will be dug from each side simultaneously, said the source.
It will take about four years for the NEFR to complete the tunnel work as well as constructing the bridge.
Talking about the progress made for the rail line, the source said that the process of acquiring land on the Jiribam side has been finalised.
Process to lay tracks over a stretch of ten kilometres in Tamenglong district is also more or less finalised, said the source and added that for the 10 km stretch the land has been acquired from Phaiton, Tatbung and Lhangnom villages.
The process of working out the compensation has also been finalised, said the source and added that the needed materials are being brought to the site.
Over and above this, the survey work for the rail line has also been finalised over a stretch of 5 kms from the said three villages. The compensation rate is currently being worked out.
The deadline for completing the Jiri-Tupul rail line is 2012 and it will be extended up to Patsoi by 2014. From there the railway line will be extended to Bishnu-pur, Thoubal, Chakpi- karong and finally Moreh.
The rail line is being taken up as a National project and the foundation stone for the Jiri to Tupul rail line was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the State in 2004.
The rail line was initially scheduled to be completed by 2010.
Source: The Sangai Express
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