Imphal to Get Rail Link: A First for Manipur's Capital

Indian Railways is fast-tracking the Jiribam–Imphal railway line—a flagship Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) project that will connect Manipur’s capital, Imphal, to the national rail network for the first time.

Spanning 110.625 km with an estimated investment of ₹22,000 crore, the project was recently highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Manipur on September 13, where he reaffirmed the government's focus on enhancing connectivity in the Northeast.

As of September 2022, 55.36 km of the line—up to Khongsang—has been commissioned. The remaining sections, including Khongsang–Noney (18.25 km) and Noney–Imphal (37.02 km), are currently under construction.

The project features 45 tunnels and several engineering feats, most notably the world’s tallest pier bridge over the Ijei River Valley, with a pier height of 141 meters. Once operational, the railway will not only bring Imphal onto the national rail grid but also boost trade in horticultural and agricultural goods, enhance tourism, and stimulate economic development across Manipur.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.