Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Imphal Set to Join Northeast Railway Network by June 2029
Imphal is the capital of Manipur, and it does not yet have a direct connection to India’s national railway network.
A new railway line is being built between Jiribam and Imphal.
Officials expect the line to open by June 2029.
The project is 111 kilometres long and costs about Rs 22,000 crore.
Building it is difficult because the route crosses hills and mountains.
Workers are constructing many tunnels and bridges along the route.
One tunnel will be 11.55 kilometres long.
The line will have 11 stations.
Officials say trains will make it easier to move people and goods to and from Manipur.
The 111-kilometre Jiribam–Imphal railway project is expected to be commissioned by June 2029.
The project, estimated to cost around Rs 22,000 crore, was taken up in 2008 and declared a National Project.
It includes 54 tunnels, 15 major bridges, 116 minor bridges and 11 railway stations.
The 11.55-kilometre Tunnel 12 will be the longest railway tunnel on the line, while Noney Bridge has a 141-metre railway pier.
The line is expected to improve passenger and goods connectivity between Manipur and the rest of India.
- Who
- The Northeast Frontier Railway is overseeing the project, with inspections led by General Manager Ashish Bansal; the Manipur government has also pledged support.
- What
- Construction of the 111-kilometre Jiribam–Imphal New Railway Line to connect Imphal with the national railway network.
- When
- The line is expected to be commissioned by June 2029; the Commissioner of Railway Safety is likely to inspect one section in October 2026.
- Where
- The project runs from Jiribam to Imphal in Manipur, bordering Assam’s Cachar district at its Jiribam end.
- Why
- To provide faster and more reliable passenger transport, improve goods movement and strengthen Manipur’s economic and social connectivity with the rest of India.
- Project length
- 111 kilometres
- Estimated cost
- Around Rs 22,000 crore
- Expected commissioning
- June 2029
- Tunnels
- 54 tunnels totaling approximately 66.47 kilometres
- Bridges
- 15 major bridges and 116 minor bridges
- Stations
- 11 stations, from Jiribam to Imphal
- Major engineering features
- Tunnel 12 will be 11.55 kilometres long, and Noney Bridge includes a 141-metre railway pier