To provide better rail connectivity to the people of Manipur, re-introduced extended services of passenger train between Silchar - Jiribam up to Vangaichungpao of Manipur was flagged off on 5th January, 2022 by Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology. The flagging off programme was held remotely through video link from Imphal.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology earlier on that day conducted joint aerial inspection with Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur of ongoing railway new line project connecting the capital state of Imphal with rest of India via Rail. It is targeted to start engine rolling for goods train up to Kaimai Road railway station by the end of this month and in Vangaichungpao – Khongsang section by March, 2022.
Passenger train service which has been extended up to Vangaichungpao will fulfil long standing requirement of the people of Manipur. The frequency of this train service has also been increased from bi-weekly to daily w.e.f. 06-01-2022. Train No. 05659 starts from Silchar daily at 16-00 hours to reach Vangaichungpao at 19-15 hours. During return journey, train No. 05660 starts from Vangaichungpao at 07-15 hours to reach Silchar at 10-40 hours. Better connectivity with Silchar (nearest big city) will help people to fulfil their needs of better medical, educational facilities as well as air connectivity. People from this hilly state will be able to directly travel by train to all major cities of the country. Travel time for the people of Manipur will be reduced by 10-12 hours. This service is expected to boost the socio-economic condition of the people of Manipur.
Hon’ble Minister of Railways, on 4th January, 2022 inspected passenger amenities and took stock of ongoing redevelopment works at Guwahati Railway Station. While interacting with media persons, Hon’ble Minister of Railways informed that Indian Railway is working day in and day out to fulfil Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of connectivity in complete Northeast. Electrification of railway track has been completed up to Guwahati and further work for electrification is also in progress. Thorough study is being done to introduce more passenger, Intercity and Janshatabdi like trains in Northeastern states like Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram. Studies are being conducted to establish strategic lines through alternate routes in order to highlight the beauty of Northeast. Rs. 7 thousand crore has been allocated for ongoing railway projects in Northeast this year so that there will be no shortage of funds. The Railways is working towards achieving these goals keeping in mind the PM’s vision of “Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka biswas, sabka prayas”. It’s a combine effort of all stakeholders including state governments, the Minister said.
