Imphal, Dec. 11: In an effort to securing better connectivity by developing roads over a period of 3-4 years in Manipur, Union Minister of Road transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today announced a special package of Rs 22,000 crore.
The package of 19 different road projects include a 2-lane with a paved shoulder of both the Imphal-Jiribam road (220km) and the Churachandpur-Tuima-Tuiva covering 162 km; the busy Imphal-Moreh road covering 156km and a 4/2 lane of the Imphal-Kohima road covering 126 km besides a 2-lane, with paved shoulders, of the Ukhrul-Tolloi-Tadubi road covering 115 km.
Further, it includes a 2-lane, with paved shoulders, of the Dimapur-Maram-Peren (Manipur-Nagaland) road covering 116km; the Haflong-Tamenglong via Lia Sang and Tousem route (Manipur-Assam) covering 150 km; the Ukhrul-Jessami (114km) route; the Tamenglong to Peren (Manipur-Nagaland) via Longdi-Pabram route covering 100km; the Jiribam-Tipaimukh (105km), Moreh by pass (3km); 4-lane of the Imphal-Moirang route (45km); reconstruction of the 115km Ukhrul-Tolloi-Tadubi road; the 40km temporary restoration of Tamenglong-Khongsang road; the rehabilitation of Churachandpur-Tuivai road section besides a 2-lane, with paved shoulders, of both the 18 km Pallel-Chandel route and the Shangshak-Nampisha Bharat Mala project covering 90 km.
Announcing this during a ceremony dedicating for 17 other road projects in the state at a function at the 1st MR parade ground here this afternoon, Minister Gadkari assured that the local contractors will be engaged for construction works. With this, Manipur will be changing its infrastructure within 2-3 years, he assured.
Later briefing media, Gadkari said that his ministry was taking steps to utilize waterways in the north eastern region particularly the Bramhaputra and Barak rivers as a means of transportation ‘so that the cost of the logistics could be minimized.’
Earlier, the minister, accompanied by BJP MP Pralhad Patel and state party chief K Bhananda, dedicated the foundation stone for the construction of ‘super steel structure’ bridges at Barak and Makru rivers along the Imphal-Jiribam highway at Jiribam, about 220 km west of here.
In his speech, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh highlighted the ‘achievement of the state in the health, power and road construction sectors.’ He expressed unhappiness at the ‘inadequate fund allocation’ by centre ‘for the maintenance of national highways and certain road and bridge projects.’
Also, Ibobi said that the UNC (United Naga Council) was a mouthpiece of the NSCN-IM which is currently undergoing peace talk with the central government. The UNC had been imposing an indefinite blockade on supply lines of the state since November 1 midnight in protect against the state government’s move to create Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged districts.
