The 141 metre-high world’s tallest pier railway bridge is being constructed in Manipur as part of the Jiribam-Imphal project, which has achieved 93.30 per cent completion.
The Jiribam-Imphal railway project, connecting Imphal to the Indian Railways network, is expected to be completed by December this year.
After completion of the project, Imphal will become the fourth capital city in the northeast region to have a rail link.
The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, Sabyasachi De, was cited by Economic Times as saying that the Rs 14,322 crore project is a crucial connectivity project for the northeast region, adding that it is in advanced stages of completion.
The railway project has numerous tunnels and bridges in tough terrain.
The total length of tunnels in the project is 61.32 km, with 59.11 km of tunneling already completed, according to De.
The project would have total 11 major bridges and 137 minor bridges, out of which work for five major bridges and 101 minor bridges have been completed so far.
Jiribam to Khongsang section of the project has already been commissioned for train service.
The rail project will reduce the road journey time of 10 hours from Jiribam to Imphal to just 2.5 hours after completion of the project.
NFR is working 24X7 to complete the project despite challenges like heavy rainfall and logistic hindrances, according to De.
The Jiribam-Imphal rail project will improve connectivity, aid small industries and boost tourism of Manipur, according to the CPRO.
The project would also help in receiving essential commodities faster by the state and help the state local producers to export their products outside the state faster.