Which is the Largest Railway Station of Manipur? Know About It

Manipur, a beautiful state in northern India, is developing its railway network to improve transportation and connectivity. The state is working on new railway projects to link important towns and cities with the rest of India. Among its railway stations, one stands out as the largest, playing a key role in travel and trade. This station is an important part of Manipur’s growing railway system.

An Overview of Manipur

Manipur is landlocked state in northeastern India with Imphal as its capital. It shares borders with Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Myanmar. The state covers 22,330 square kilometers, mostly with hilly, with the Imphal Valley as its center. The Meitei people mainly live in the valley, while Naga and Kuki-Zo communities reside in the hills. Meitei (Manipuri) is the official language.

Largest Railway Station of Manipur

Jiribam Railway Station is the largest railway station in Manipur. It serves the town of Jiribam and is part of the Lumding railway division under the Northeast Frontier Railway. It is also the first railway station in the state. The station plays an important role in connecting Manipur with Assam and other parts of India.

History of Jiribam Railway Station

Jiribam railway station was initially built as part of a rail link to Assam for transporting tea in the early 20th century. The Assam Bengal Railway constructed the line. After India gained independence in 1947, the railway system in the region underwent several changes. The Assam Railway merged with the Oudh and Tirhut Railway in 1952 to form the North Eastern Railway. Later, in 1958, the Northeast Frontier Railway was created.

Gauge Conversion and Development

Before 2009, the Jiribam railway station was part of a metre-gauge network. In December 2009, work began to convert the railway line from Silchar to Jiribam into broad gauge. This project was completed in early 2016, and goods trains started running on the route again.

Future Railway Projects

A new railway line from Jiribam to Imphal is under construction. It is expected to be completed by December 2023. This railway line will later be extended to Moreh, near the India-Myanmar border and then to Kalay in Myanmar. This project is part of the Trans-Asian Railway, which aims to improve railway connectivity between different Asian countries.