The inaugural goods train reached Khongsang Railway Station in Tamenglong district, Manipur on Monday and was received by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and other state ministers and officials.
The mixed freight train started its journey from Guwahati on 22nd July.
Singh later tweeted, “Delighted to witness the momentous arrival of the inaugural goods train at Khongsang Railway Station today.”
Delighted to witness the momentous arrival of the inaugural goods train at Khongsang Railway Station today. This development heralds a plethora of opportunities for the people of Manipur, promising expedited transportation of goods and essential commodities.
The seamless… pic.twitter.com/Exewu7mmJt
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 24, 2023
In the wake of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur leading to scarcity of essential items, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in co-operation with the state’s transport department on Sunday sent the first goods trains carrying essential commodities to the violence-hit northeastern state, officials said.
NFR had loaded 2 wagons of potato from Dhupguri (West Bengal) for Khongsang station in Manipur. These 2 wagons were clubbed with 3 wagons of Sugar (by allowing piecemeal re-booking as a special case from Azara on the request of Secretary/Transport, Govt of Manipur) and 6 wagons from New Guwahati on 22/07/23 (2 wagons of packaged juice, 2 wagons of Coca Cola, 1 wagon of Potato Chips and 1 Wagon of Onion).
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Khongsang station was commissioned in 2022 under the Jiribam Imphal new line project. The line was suspended after ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3.
During his visit to Manipur on June 1, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said a temporary railway station at Khongsang would be made operational within a few days for movement of people and transportation of goods.
“A marketing inspector has been specially deputed in Imphal for the convenience of Manipur-based traders to book commodities through railways. The marketing inspector will be available round-the-clock for any queries of traders,” NFR chief public relations officer Sabyasachi De said.
All Manipur-based traders can book essential commodities from 6 am to 4 pm at Khongsang station daily, he added.
“Under special consideration for the state, piecemeal booking of wagons have been allowed for Manipur for the time being. Already, onions from Maharashtra, potato from West Bengal and FMCG products from Assam have been booked for the state,” the CPRO said.
The initiatives taken by the NFR is expected to be of big help for the people of Manipur in the prevailing scenario, he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
