Imphal railway link by June 2029: Fifth Northeast capital on national rail map
Synopsis
Manipur's Imphal is set to become the fifth Northeast capital on India's rail map by June 2029 — and the engineering behind it is staggering. The 111-km Jiribam–Imphal project includes 54 tunnels stretching 66 km, India's soon-to-be longest railway tunnel at 11.55 km, and the world's tallest railway pier at 141 metres. For a landlocked state long dependent on fragile road links, this is more than a rail line — it is a strategic lifeline.
Key Takeaways
Imphal will become the fifth Northeast capital city connected to India's national railway network, expected by June 2029 .
The Jiribam–Imphal New Railway Line is 111 km long and valued at approximately ₹22,000 crore ; it was declared a National Project .
The line includes 54 tunnels (total 66.47 km ); Tunnel No.
12 at 11.55 km will be the longest railway tunnel in India .
164 at Noney features the world's tallest railway pier at 141 metres and is nearing completion.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is expected to inspect the Khongsang–Awangkhul section in October 2026 .
The line will have 11 stations and is expected to boost movement of goods and passengers across Manipur .
Manipur's capital Imphal is set to become the fifth Northeast capital city connected to India's national railway network, with the Jiribam–Imphal New Railway Line Project — a 111-km, ₹22,000 crore infrastructure undertaking — expected to be fully commissioned by June 2029, senior officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) confirmed on Tuesday, 25 August.
A Historic Connectivity Milestone for Manipur
When operational, Imphal will join Dispur (near Guwahati, Assam), Agartala (Tripura), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), and Aizawl (Mizoram) as Northeast capital cities integrated into the pan-India rail grid. The project, which was taken up in 2008 and subsequently declared a National Project owing to its strategic importance, connects Imphal to Jiribam town on the border of southern Assam's Cachar district.
Notably, the most recent addition to this list was Aizawl, linked via the 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang section inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aizawl on 13 September 2025. The Jiribam–Imphal corridor now carries forward that momentum.
Engineering at the Extremes: Tunnels, Bridges and Terrain
The project is among the most technically demanding railway undertakings in the country. It traverses rugged, hilly terrain and involves extensive tunnelling and bridge construction. The line includes 54 tunnels with a combined length of approximately 66.47 km.
Among them, Tunnel No. 12 — stretching 11.55 km — will become the longest railway tunnel in India on this broad gauge line, surpassing the well-known Pir Panjal Tunnel on the Banihal–Qazigund line in Jammu and Kashmir. Advanced construction techniques and stringent safety protocols are being deployed across the tunnel network, according to officials.
The project also features 15 major bridges and 116 minor bridges. Among them, Bridge No. 164 at Noney stands out for carrying the world's tallest railway pier at a height of 141 metres — a structure that is nearing completion.
Inspection and Current Progress
Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) General Manager Ashish Bansal recently conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Jiribam–Khongsang, Khongsang–Awangkhul, and Awangkhul–Imphal sections, reviewing the status of ongoing construction and directing field personnel to resolve issues promptly. During the visit, he inspected Tunnel No. 28 and Tunnel No. 12 and reviewed tunnelling progress.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is expected to inspect the Khongsang–Awangkhul section in October 2026, a key procedural step before sections can be cleared for passenger operations.
Eleven Stations Across the Corridor
The new line will have 11 railway stations: Jiribam, Vangaichungpao, Rani Gaidinliu, Kambiron Halt, Thingou, Khongsang, Awangkhul, Noney, Tupul, Haochong Road Halt, and Imphal. These stations are designed to serve both passenger travel and goods movement for communities across the alignment.
Economic and Strategic Impact
Officials say the Jiribam–Imphal rail link will significantly ease the movement of essential commodities into Manipur, a landlocked state that has historically relied on road transport vulnerable to disruptions. Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh has stated that his government is committed to extending all necessary support for the project's timely completion.
Beyond logistics, the corridor is expected to contribute to the broader economic and social development of the region — a stated objective under India's Act East Policy. With the CRS inspection on the horizon and multiple sections advancing, the June 2029 target marks the next major benchmark for one of independent India's most ambitious mountain railway projects.
Point of View
The tallest railway pier on earth. But Manipur's history of civil unrest and difficult terrain have derailed timelines before. The real question is whether the commissioning target holds, or whether 2029 becomes another revised date in a project that has already seen multiple deferrals. For a state that endured months of ethnic conflict as recently as 2023, a reliable rail link is not just an infrastructure win — it is a political and humanitarian imperative.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Imphal be connected to India's national railway network?
Imphal is expected to be connected to the national railway network by June 2029 , when the Jiribam–Imphal New Railway Line Project is scheduled to be commissioned. The 111-km broad gauge line has been under construction since 2008 and was declared a National Project.
Which Northeast capital cities are already on the Indian railway network?
Four Northeast capital cities are already connected: Dispur (near Guwahati, Assam), Agartala (Tripura), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), and Aizawl (Mizoram). Imphal will become the fifth once the Jiribam–Imphal line is commissioned.
What makes the Jiribam–Imphal railway project unique?
The project features some of India's most remarkable railway engineering: 54 tunnels with a combined length of 66.47 km , including Tunnel No. 12 at 11.55 km — set to be India's longest railway tunnel. It also includes Bridge No. 164 at Noney, which carries the world's tallest railway pier at 141 metres .
How much does the Jiribam–Imphal railway project cost?
The project is valued at approximately ₹22,000 crore . It spans 111 km and includes 11 stations, 54 tunnels, 15 major bridges, and 116 minor bridges across challenging hilly terrain.
What is the current status of construction on the Jiribam–Imphal line?
Construction is ongoing across multiple sections. NFR (Construction) General Manager Ashish Bansal recently inspected the Jiribam–Khongsang, Khongsang–Awangkhul, and Awangkhul–Imphal sections. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is expected to inspect the Khongsang–Awangkhul section in October 2026 , a key step toward phased commissioning.
