Imphal, July 24: Amidst the crisis of food grains, essentials and other basic materials in the ethnic violence hit Manipur, the first goods train reached Khongsang railway station in the state’s Tamenglong district from Guwahati on Monday.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) sources said following the announcements of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited Manipur for four days from May 29 to June 1, the railway authority in association with the state’s transport department on Sunday dispatched the first goods trains carrying food grains and essential commodities to Manipur.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, other Ministers and officials were present when the Goods trains from Guwahati reached the Khongsang railway station.

Singh later tweeted: “Delighted to witness the momentous arrival of the inaugural goods train at Khongsang Railway Station today. This development heralds a plethora of opportunities for the people of Manipur, promising expedited transportation of goods and essential commodities. The seamless logistics shall undoubtedly catalyze industrial growth, augment trade and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life. Grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for his pivotal role in advancing the state’s economic prospects through this monumental initiative.”

Delighted to witness the momentous arrival of the inaugural goods train at Khongsang Railway Station today. This development heralds a plethora of opportunities for the people of Manipur, promising expedited transportation of goods and essential commodities.

The seamless… pic.twitter.com/Exewu7mmJt

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 24, 2023

Onions from Maharashtra, potatoes from West Bengal and FMCG products from Assam have already been booked for Manipur.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De said the Khongsang Railway station in Manipur’s Tamenglong district has been opened for loading and unloading of essential commodities and other food items.

Khongsang is the latest station which was commissioned in 2022 in the Jiribam-Imphal new line project.

The NFR has been constructing the 111-km-long Jiribam-Imphal railway project, which has already achieved physical progress of 94 per cent, and is targeted to complete the Rs 14,322 crore project by December, this year.

The line was earlier suspended due to the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, the CPRO said, adding that a marketing inspector has been specially deputed in Imphal for the convenience of the Manipur based traders to book the commodities through Railways.

The marketing inspector will be available round the clock for any queries of the traders.

All Manipur-based traders can now avail the facility of booking essential commodities from Khongsang station, the official said.

He further said that under special consideration for the state, piecemeal booking of wagons have been allowed for the time being.

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