New Delhi, August 21: BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Manipur, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, on Wednesday called upon the Centre to adopt a dual construction strategy to fast-track the Jiribam–Imphal railway project, warning that delays could stretch its completion by another two to three years.
Raising the matter during a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, Leishemba noted that while the 55.36 km Jiribam–Khongsang section was commissioned in September 2022, the remaining Khongsang–Noney (18.25 km) and Noney–Imphal (37.02 km) stretches continue to face hurdles. Frequent bandhs, blockades, extortion activities, and recurring landslides during the monsoon were cited as major impediments.
Terming the railway line “Manipur’s lifeline,” the MP said, “A speedy completion of this project is the only solution for these inconveniences. A two-pronged approach — starting construction from the Imphal side alongside Jiribam — will provide the necessary momentum for timely completion.”
Leishemba pressed the Union government to act swiftly, emphasizing the railway’s strategic significance for connectivity, security, and economic development in the Northeast.
