Union minister releases funds to repair NH in Manipur

Our Correspondent Imphal, Sep. 27 (EMN): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has agreed to release some funds immediately for repair of flood damaged National Highways in Manipur. The assurance was given to state Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh during their meeting in the National capital on Tuesday, official sources in Imphal said. The widespread flood in Manipur in the last five months since cyclone Mora hit the state in May end this year, has badly damaged important highways particularly the busiest 110km Imphal-Mao sector of the National Highway 2 which is considered to be the lifeline of the state. Union Minister also advised the state government to send suitable proposals for up gradation of roads to National Highways while discussing the matter relating to the improvement of road connectivity in Manipur. The Central government has agreed in principle to declare the Manipur’s Singhat-Behiang Road as National Highway besides developing the remote border village Behiang as another Border Trade Point of the border state after the existing Moreh town. Gadkari would come for land worshiping ceremony for Imphal-Moreh National Highway once the land acquisition is finished. In another meeting with Union Minister of State (Civil Aviation) Jayant Sinha and Biren Singh urged for introducing direct fight between Delhi and Imphal as currently the officials and passengers have to stay for a minimum of three days outside the State, when their work take hardly a day in the capital. Responding to the proposal,central minister Jayant assured that the Ministry would look into the matter and immediate steps will be taken to ease out such inconveniences to the officials and passengers of the State. On the other hand Union Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons also gave assurance that centre will have a positive and speedy consideration for the proposal of Cable Cars at Sendra, Shirui and Heingang-Marjing areas in Manipur in a move to take up the tourism promotion activities.The Tourism minister also agreed to visit Imphal in the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival on Nov.22 this year. Later Biren also spoke to Chairman and Managing Director Rajeev Bansal of Air India for introduction of direct Air India flight between Delhi and Imphal wherein the Air India authority also promised to take up immediate action into the matter, the source added.