NFR General Manager Ashish Bansal inspected key sections of the Jiribam-Imphal railway project, reviewing construction progress and preparations for the October 2026 CRS inspection.
Maligaon, August 24: Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) General Manager Ashish Bansal inspected key sections of the 110.625-km Jiribam-Imphal New Line Railway Project, reviewing construction progress and preparedness for the proposed Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspection in October 2026.
During the inspection, Bansal visited the Jiribam-Khongsang, Khongsang-Awangkhul and Awangkhul-Imphal sections and reviewed ongoing construction activities and major railway infrastructure works along the alignment.
He also inspected the Khongsang-Awangkhul section, including the railway yards, with particular attention to preparations for the CRS inspection scheduled for October.
The General Manager further inspected Tunnel Nos. 28 and 12 and took stock of the progress of tunnelling works being undertaken in the project.
The Jiribam-Imphal New Line is one of the major railway infrastructure projects being undertaken in the Northeast. The 110.625-km line passes through difficult and hilly terrain, requiring extensive tunnelling and bridge construction.
A major component of the project is its network of 54 tunnels, which together have a cumulative length of approximately 66.47 km.
Construction of the tunnels through mountainous and geologically challenging terrain has required specialised engineering methods, along with safety and quality controls, according to Northeast Frontier Railway.
The scale of tunnelling makes the project one of the more technically demanding railway construction works in the region. The project also includes 15 major bridges and 116 minor bridges along the railway alignment.
Among the prominent structures is Bridge No. 164 at Noney, which has a pier height of 141 metres. The bridges are being constructed to allow railway operations across the difficult terrain while also accommodating road traffic and other movement across the alignment.
Together with the extensive tunnel network, the bridges form a key part of the engineering infrastructure required to connect Jiribam with Imphal.
The completed railway line will have 11 stations and halts:
Jiribam
Vangaichungpao
Rani Gaidinliu
Kambiron Halt
Thingou
Khongsang
Awangkhul
Noney
Tupul
Haochong Road Halt
Imphal
The stations are expected to improve access to rail services for communities located along and around the project alignment while providing facilities for passenger and goods movement.
The direct railway connection to Imphal is also expected to strengthen the state's links with the wider national railway network.
The Jiribam-Imphal New Line is being commissioned in phases. The Jiribam-Vangaichungpao section was commissioned in February 2017, followed by the Vangaichungpao-Khongsang section in September 2022.
Construction and development of the remaining sections are progressing in phases towards completion. The latest inspection focused on several of these sections, including Khongsang-Awangkhul and Awangkhul-Imphal, as railway authorities continue to advance works towards the next stages of commissioning.
During the inspection, Bansal reviewed the progress of works with railway officials and field personnel. He emphasised the need to maintain high standards of safety and construction quality while ensuring timely execution of the remaining works.
Officials and field teams were directed to closely monitor construction activities and address issues promptly so that the project could progress smoothly. The inspection also assessed the preparedness of infrastructure, including the Khongsang-Awangkhul yards, ahead of the proposed CRS inspection in October.
The CRS inspection is an important stage in the process of opening railway infrastructure for safe operation after completion of the required works and inspections.
The Jiribam-Imphal railway line is expected to provide Manipur with a direct rail connection to the rest of the country once the entire project is completed and operational.
Apart from passenger transportation, the railway is expected to improve the movement of essential commodities and other goods into and out of the state. The improved transport link could also reduce dependence on road-based transportation and provide an additional logistics route for Manipur and the wider Northeast.
The project is consequently being viewed as an important component of the region's transport infrastructure, with potential benefits for trade, mobility and economic activity.
The inspection by the Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) General Manager comes as work continues across the remaining sections of the ambitious project, with safety, construction quality and timely completion remaining key priorities.
