Imphal | The feasibility of establishing a direct railway link between Manipur and Guwahati was discussed on Wednesday as Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava held meetings with senior state government officials to review rail connectivity and infrastructure in the state.

Shrivastava called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan before meeting Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Senior officials from the state government and NFR attended the discussions.

The meetings focused on strengthening railway infrastructure, improving passenger services, facilitating freight movement and enhancing security to support more reliable rail operations in Manipur. Officials discussed measures to ensure the smooth and regular operation of passenger services between Jiribam and Khongsang, with emphasis on providing dependable and convenient connectivity for people in the region.

The possibility of a direct rail service connecting Manipur with Guwahati was also taken up. Such connectivity could provide passengers from the state with easier access to Guwahati, one of the Northeast’s major commercial and transport hubs.

The discussions also covered road connectivity between Vangaichungpao and the National Highway, along with the need to strengthen security infrastructure around railway operations.

Freight transportation featured prominently in the meetings, with officials reviewing arrangements for efficient handling and management of goods at Khongsang Terminal. The proposed introduction and operationalisation of Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) services at the terminal was also discussed as a means of facilitating the movement of goods and vehicles by rail.

The status of the Jiribam-Imphal New Railway Line Project was also reviewed. Officials stressed the need to expedite ongoing works and maintain steady progress towards completion of the strategically important project.

The meetings underscored NFR’s focus on improving passenger and freight connectivity in Manipur while strengthening railway security and infrastructure. Better rail connectivity is expected to play a significant role in improving access, supporting trade and transportation, and contributing to the state’s wider socio-economic development.