IMPHAL, 24 Jul: The inaugural goods train reached Khongsang railway station in Manipur’s Tamenglong district from Guwahati on Monday.
In the wake of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur leading to scarcity of essential items, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in cooperation with the state’s transport department on Sunday sent the first goods trains carrying essential commodities to the violence-hit northeastern state, officials said.
Khongsang station was commissioned in 2022 under the Jiribam Imphal new line project. The line was suspended after ethnic violence erupted in the state on 3 May.
During his visit to Manipur on 1 June, union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that a temporary railway station at Khongsang would be made operational within a few days for movement of people and transportation of goods.
“A marketing inspector has been specially deputed in Imphal for the convenience of Manipur-based traders to book commodities through railways. The marketing inspector will be available round-the-clock for any queries of traders,” NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Sabyasachi De said.
All Manipur-based traders can book essential commodities from 6 am to 4 pm at Khongsang station daily, he added.
“Under special consideration for the state, piecemeal booking of wagons have been allowed for Manipur for the time being. Already, onions from Maharashtra, potato from West Bengal and FMCG products from Assam have been booked for the state,” the CPRO said.
The initiatives taken by the NFR is expected to be of big help for the people of Manipur in the prevailing scenario, he said. (PTI)