IT Desk
The works for construction of railway line from Jiribam to Imphal has commenced in 2007 to implement the decision of the Government of India for connecting the capital of all the states with the capital of India. The target of completion of the said railway project was initially fixed at 2017. The target has been re-fixed at 2019 and finally at March 2022. Commissioning of the Jiribam Imphal Railway Project will bring enormous benefits in respect of cheapest transport facilities, reduction of the price of essential commodities including visiting outside the state for better treatment facilities for which are not available in the state of Manipur.
It is being observed that the progress of the works of the afore-said National Railway Project has come to a near standstill position as woks are in progress in 1/2 locations only. On enquiry, it is revealed that present set-up of the engineers posted under N.F. Railway assigned with that works have no experience in the construction of big railway projects like the Jiribam-Imphal Railway Project and as such, there is no proper planning in execution of the works which in turn become a factor for the slow progress of the works. It is also learned from reliable sources that the concerned authority used to misbehave with the contractors and threaten them of penal actions like termination of the contract, imposing of penalties etc. for obvious reasons.
In addition, long outstanding payments of huge amounts related to PVC Bills, GST neutralization bills etc. are held up for which a few contractors have to approach the High Court for redressal which are awaiting. In case the present situation is allowed to be continued, the dream project of the people of Manipur may not be completed by 2022 and may require another 6/7 years and thereby deprives the people of Manipur of the benefits of the cheapest transport facilities in the state.
The construction of the tallest railway bridge in the world at Marangching village in Noney district, about 65 km west of Imphal, Manipur associated with this project has not been taken-up till date as intimated due to reasons best known to the concerned authority. It appears reasonable that the state government of Manipur, as well as the Government of India, should immediately intervene on the present situations in this project and arrange an enquiry against the concerned officials responsible for the delay in the progress of the works with an arrangement to place suitable substitute expertise in similar nature of works.
The people of Manipur are becoming impatience with resentment which may lead to an undesirable situation in future days to come
