Manipur : First goods trains arrives at Khongsang train station from Guwahati

KalimNews, Imphal, 24 July 2023 : A goods train arrived Khongsang train station in Manipur, to ease people's angst in a big way.

Indeed a good tidings for many even as Manipur is gruelling under a serious puzzling circumstances. The goods train of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) was accorded welcome with a great applause led by the Chief Minister of Manipur Nongthombam Biren Singh accompanied by his ministers Awangbow (Disaster Management and Water Resources), Govindas Konthoujam (works) and Kashim Vashum (Transport), Chairman HAC Dinganglung Gangmei, Manipur CS Vineet Joshi, CSO leaders of JTC, JTSA, RNCM and RNSOM, hosts of District Level Officers from Tamenglong and Noney districts, railways officials, traders and villagers when it touched Khongsang station around 12 noon. 

The essential goods laden goods train was flagged off from Guwahati yesterday. The 12- bogie train was loaded with essential commodities like potato, onion, sugar and other eatables. 

Each bogie has the capacity of 60 metric tons. Speaking on the occasion, N. Biren Singh expressed happiness on receiving the goods train at this crucial juncture and added that it would ease the hardship faced by the people of Manipur due to the shortage of essential commodities. He continued that Manipur, being a landlocked state and frequent disruption by landslides, the operation of trains would definitely bring a change in the development track of the State. 

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister and Railway Minister for making the transportation of essential commodities through the Northeast Frontier Railways possible. 

He also appreciated the people of Noney and Tamenglong districts for their cooperation and support in the endeavour to bring the goods train which was a dream dreamed by everyone in the state. Santa Nahakpam, leader of the trader community who worked hard to realize the dream into reality have extended his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who have contributed their bits in the process. 

The Manipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry took a historic step toward connectivity in Manipur. The train was flagged off from the new Guwahati railway station by Rituraj Borthakur, ACM Guwahati loaded with essential commodities. 

The goods items like onions, potatoes, sugar, and other essentials were loaded in the 12 bogeys of the train. 

During the flag off ceremony held yesterday, Jotin Thokchom, former General Secretary of the Manipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Santa Nahakpam Trader, Railway Staff Sunil Prasad, and Satvir Jain attended. 

One of the railway staff expressed that the essential commodities received were potatoes from Dhupguri, onions from Nashik, detergent from Gujarat, and sugar from Uttar Pradesh.

Edible oils  coming from Alwar, Rajasthan food items from different states and were collected at the New Guwahati station.