Manipur’s Imphal is set to become the fifth capital city in the Northeast to be connected to the national railway network by June 2029, with the Jiribam-Imphal New Railway Line Project nearing completion. The railway line, connecting Imphal to Jiribam town, bordering southern Assam’s Cachar district, is a critical 111-km infrastructure project worth around Rs 22,000 crore. A senior official of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) stated that the project is one of the most challenging railway infrastructure projects being undertaken in the Northeast region, traversing difficult and hilly terrain, and involving extensive tunnelling and bridge construction.
The project will significantly improve connectivity between Manipur and the rest of the country, providing faster and more reliable passenger transportation, and facilitating the movement of essential commodities and goods. Notably, the 51.38-kilometre-long Bairabi (near southern Assam)–Sairang (near Aizawl) section was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aizawl on September 13, 2025. The project comprises 54 tunnels with a cumulative length of approximately 66.47 km, including tunnel number 12, which is the longest railway tunnel in India, measuring 11.55 km long.
The project also includes 15 major bridges and 116 minor bridges, including the world’s tallest railway pier with a height of 141 metres at bridge number 164 in Noney. There are a total of 11 railway stations on the Jiribam-Imphal New Line, which will provide improved rail access to the people residing in the surrounding areas and serve as important points for passenger and goods movement. The project is expected to contribute to the overall economic and social development of the region.
Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) General Manager, Ashish Bansal, recently inspected the project and emphasized the need to maintain the highest standards of safety, construction quality, and timely execution. The project was taken up in 2008 and was declared a National Project owing to its importance. Manipur Chief Minister has assured all necessary support to ensure the timely completion of the railway project.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is likely to inspect the Khongsang-Awangkhul section in October 2026. Imphal will join Assam capital Dispur (near Guwahati), Tripura capital Agartala, Arunachal Pradesh’s Itanagar, and Mizoram capital Aizawl as the fifth capital city in the Northeast to be connected to the national railway network.
