Manipur Capital Rail Link Nears Completion With June 2029 Target

The Jiribam-Imphal new railway line project is progressing toward a projected completion date of June 2029 to connect the capital of Manipur to India's national rail network. This critical infrastructure initiative will transform regional connectivity and passenger travel across the state. The 110.625-kilometer rail line is being constructed at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 22,000 crore. The engineering project involves the construction of 54 tunnels spanning a cumulative length of about 66.47 kilometers and 131 bridges, comprising 15 major and 116 minor structures. A defining feature of the project is Bridge No. 164 at Noney, which hosts the world's tallest railway pier at 141 meters. The new route is designed to feature 11 railway stations, including Jiribam, Vangaichungpao, Rani Gaidinliu, Kambiron Halt, Thingou, Khongsang, Awangkhul, Noney, Tupul, Haochong Road Halt, and Imphal.

Phased Execution and Inspection Updates

Work on this ambitious mountainous terrain is being carried out in phases by the Northeast Frontier Railway. The Jiribam-Vangaichungpao section was successfully commissioned in February 2017, followed by the Vangaichungpao-Khongsang section in September 2022. Most recently, General Manager of NFR Construction Ashish Bansal inspected multiple sections of the route, including Tunnel No. 12 and Tunnel No. 28, to rigorously review quality and safety standards. Furthermore, project management is currently preparing for a Commission of Railway Safety inspection scheduled for October 2026, specifically targeting the Khongsang-Awangkhul section to advance further operations.