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DIPR/OSR
Imphal, Jul 13: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today received a consignment of foodgrains brought by train for the first time to the State at Khongsang Railway Station, Noney district.
The goods train which started its journey from Dhuri, Punjab on July 6, carried 949 metric tonnes of rice in its 15 wagons.
Speaking at the reception programme, Chief Minister N Biren appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending the foodgrains to the State by railway, adding that trains carrying essential commodities had also arrived at the same station two times earlier.
He continued that this has been made possible because of the commitment of the Prime Minister and the dedicated efforts of Railway officials, Food Corporation of India (FCI) and security forces.
He also appreciated the Central paramilitary forces and the State force for their dedicated services and efforts to bring peace and normalcy in the State.
He expressed happiness on seeing people coming forward to work at the railway station, stating that the people of the State have work culture.
Biren maintained that the State Government has been taking up measures to prevent shortage of essential commodities, during the hard times the State has been facing for the last few months.
The State Government is able to cater to the needs of the people due to the commitment of the FCI, Rail- ways, security forces and conviction of Central Government leaders, he added.
Biren said that transportation of commodities from Khongsang to Imphal by road would be far more convenient instead of going all the way to Jiribam.
The railway project from Jiribam to Imphal was making good progress but it has been delayed by the massive landslide which struck Marangching, Noney district in July 2022.
The massive landslide killed many people including workers engaged in the railway project.
Nonetheless, the railway line will reach Imphal within a short period, Biren said.
The Chief Minister thanked civil society organisations, village chiefs and youths of Khongsang for their support and cooperation. Notably, 60 trucks have been requisitioned to lift the foodgrains from Khongsang to Imphal with security escorts.
Speaking at the same programme, Hill Areas Com- mittee (HAC) Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei appealed to all concerned to informed the Noney DC, village leaders and CSOs when any untoward incident occurs at Khongsang railway station so as to resolve the matter promptly.
Appealing to the local villagers to support the Government’s initiatives, Dinganglung Gangmei claimed that the Government’s initiatives would help in alleviating the socio-economic condition of the people.
Apart from Chief Minister N Biren and HAC Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei, the reception programme was also attended by Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, Noney DC Sharath Chandra Arroju, Assistant Commercial Manager, NF Railways, Lumding Circle Dipankar Sarkar, Deputy General Manager (Region), FCI Regional Office, Manipur K Satya Kumar and Divisional Manager, FCI, Imphal Adani Mao, among others.