The first-ever goods train arrived at the Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station in Tamenglong district of Manipur on Thursday, marking a major breakthrough for railway authorities who has put-in concerted efforts to improve the railway connectivity across Manipur & other northeastern regions.

Taking to Twitter, the Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday confirmed the news. “In yet another milestone, the first ever Goods Train reached Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station, Tamenglong yesterday. The improvement in railway connectivity, under the close supervision of Hon’ PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, will immensely improve the socio-economic condition of Manipur," he wrote.

The Rani Gaidinliu railway station, which was earlier named Kaimai railway station, was renamed last year by the chief minister after the freedom fighter to commemorate her great contribution in the freedom struggle.

Officials said that the new rail line is 111 km long from Jiribam to Imphal. There are 46 tunnels, as the Noney and Tamenglong districts through which the rail line will pass through are full of hills. Reports say that there are 153 bridges.

The tallest railway bridge in the world is located in Noney district. It is 141 m high. An amount of ₹14,000 cr. was set aside for the construction of the rail line. The construction work was started in 2013. Though the earlier plan was to construct up to Imphal, it will eventually be extended to Moreh, the trading centre located at the Manipur-Myanmar border. This is part of the trans-Asian railway. The trans-Asian highway is already under construction. The border trade between India and Myanmar is legalised at Moreh.

Image courtesy: East Mojo