Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Manipur villagers oppose rail construction

By Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, June 8 � Indian Railway�s move to bring Manipur�s State capital in the railway map of the country is facing opposition from villagers for not clearing their land compensation.

Rangkhong village secretary G Aching told reporters here that the construction of the rail line at Rangkhong will be stopped beginning June 12, if the due compensation amount for land acquisition is not distributed within the stipulated time.

�We have lost our land and houses, but our woes have remained unaddressed since the last two years when we have been living as refugees�, Aching said. �Twenty-nine houses have been affected since the inception of the works in 2009.�

Five villages under Tamenglong�s Noney area � Awang Khul, Rangkhong, Lukhambi, Nungtek and Marang Ching have also been affected. �Our villages have been ravaged by mudslides during the rainy seasons as a fallout of the excavation works�, says R Dinglin, chairman of Rangkhong village.

Delay in execution of the railway line at an estimated cost of Rs 727.56 crore out of Rs 2492.53 crore worth Jiribam-Imphal (125.25 km) rail line project had figured at the recent meeting convened by the Prime Minister, last week. The railway authorities reportedly agreed to supplement equipment and manpower and assured that the railway line up to Tupul would be completed by 2014 and up to Imphal by 2016.

Last year, Chief Minister Ibobi accompanied by NF Railway Chief Engineer had inspected the progress of the 98 km Jiribam-Tupul board-gauge railway line.

Next Story