IMPHAL, Oct 25: Clarifying the reasons for the realignment of the routes for the ongoing constructions of Railway line connecting Jiribam to Imphal via Tupul, an official report over the change of alignment for Jiribam to Imphal project was circulated by the construction unit of the Northeast Frontier Railway recently as part of clarifying the recent allegation made by the JAC for restoration pf railway lines from Jiribam to Tupul.
The official circulations of the NFR elaborated that, the Reconnaissance Engineering Cum Traffic Survey report for construction of 97.9 Km long line from Jiribam to Tupul was submitted to Railway Board during September 2002.
The survey was sanctioned for new lines from Jiribam to Imphal but the was proposed to be terminated at Tupul, which is 53 Km short of Imphal as connecting Imphal was not found feasible due to high hill ranges between Tupul and Imphal.
The official report also further mentioned that, while submitting the survey report to Railway Board, it was also pointed out that it was not possible to carry out the physical verification of the allignment due to the prevailing law & order situation at that time and the survey was based on the study of Survey of India toposheets only.
The official report of the NFR further mentioned that, the Jiribam Tupul new Railway line project sanctioned in the Budget of 2004-05. The final location survey and Geotechnical survey was awarded to M/S RITES. The issue of Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Project was reported to Railway by NEEPCO Ldt. Guwahati also vide their letter No. NEEPCO/ED(P-II/THEP)80 on August 8, 2006 asking Railway to keep the alignment above the maximum reservoir level of 178 meters.
It is also further mentioned that, Railway Board vide their letter No. 2005/W-1/NF/LA/4373/CA-III dated July 4, 2005 asked NF Railway to study connectivity upto Imphal and possible submergence of Railway lines due to the proposed Tipaimukh multipurpose dam. Railway Board, vide their letter No. 2007/W-I/NL/NF/Jiribam-Imphal Road (Tupul) dated August 22, 2007 advised NF Railway to submit a updated survey report including the extension of line from Tupul to Imphal. Accordingly the updating of survey has been done and report submitted, the official report of the NFR added.
The official report further mentioned that, flattening of this gradient would increase the length & cost abnormally. There has been changes in alignment and level as compared to the earlier report for enabling the connectivity to Imphal and also to avoid the submergence level to Tipaimukh dam.
The report further mentioned that, as per the earlier alignment and most important bridge was over river Barak at Ch 21.5 Km where the formation level was fixed at 185m above Minimum Sea Level (MSL) to avoid submergence due to proposed Tipaimukh Dam the HRL of which is 178 meter. The bridge was having total span of about 1.5 Km in length and 150 meter level difference from formation to bed level as per the official survey.
The official report finally mentioned that, keeping in view of the above, the alignment has been changed. There is a reduction in overall length of about 14.326Km due to the change of alignment. As per the revised alignment the total major bridges is 7857 Rm, Total 172 Rm of minor bridges, total 30.39 Km length of tunnel and 301 lakhs cum earthwork. The overall alignment is easier than the earlier alignment in view of accessibility. The proposed bridge at Barak river is of span 7 x 61 meter as per trhe changed alignment. The rulling gradient is 1 in 80 for whole section from Jiribam to Imphal as charged alignment the official report added.
In the meantime, the JAC for the restoration of Railway Line from Jiribam to Tupul has called 24 hours general strike from today midnight as a mark of protest against the state government and concerned authorities including the Ministry of Railway for their failure to respond to previous ultimatums sent to address their grievances regarding the re-alignment of the rialway lines between Jiribam to Tupul.
