Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba urged the Union Government to adopt a two-pronged construction strategy to expedite the long-pending Jiribam–Imphal railway line.

Raising the matter in the Upper House, the MP pointed out that while the 55.36-km Jiribam–Khongsang section has been operational since September 2022, the remaining stretches—Khongsang–Noney (18.25 km) and Noney–Imphal (37.02 km)—are still incomplete.

He stressed that the railway is a “lifeline” for Manipur, offering a dependable alternative to the state’s frequently disrupted highways, which are often affected by bandhs, extortion, landslides, and poor road conditions. Warning that the project could take another two to three years if work continues at the present pace, he urged that construction be carried out simultaneously from the Imphal side, in addition to the ongoing work from Jiribam, to hasten completion.

Leishemba underscored that fast-tracking the project is vital to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and to address critical supply chain challenges faced by the region.