New Delhi: In a major boost to connectivity, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari on Monday laid the foundation stones for 13 highway projects and inaugurated a Road safety project in the Northeastern State of Manipur through video conference .
Chief Minister N Biren Singh presided over the virtual function, attended by MoS (I/c) for DONER and PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS RTH Gen (Retd) V K Singh, Ministers of the Manipur State, several MPs, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the State.
The projects involve a road length of 316 kilometres, with construction value of about Rs 3,000 crore. Paving the way for development of Manipur, these roads are touted to enhance connectivity, convenience and economic growth in the northeastern state.
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Developing North Eastern Corridor has been the utmost priority of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 17, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
This National Highway Projects, with a total cost of 3000 crores and 316 km, will improve connectivity of Manipur with other North Eastern states. #PragatiKaHighway pic.twitter.com/tXscYDdPCu
">Developing North Eastern Corridor has been the utmost priority of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 17, 2020
This National Highway Projects, with a total cost of 3000 crores and 316 km, will improve connectivity of Manipur with other North Eastern states. #PragatiKaHighway pic.twitter.com/tXscYDdPCuDeveloping North Eastern Corridor has been the utmost priority of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 17, 2020
This National Highway Projects, with a total cost of 3000 crores and 316 km, will improve connectivity of Manipur with other North Eastern states. #PragatiKaHighway pic.twitter.com/tXscYDdPCu
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said, "Keeping with Prime Minister's desire to develop infrastructure in the Northeast, we have undertaken several projects in the region." Gadkari further assured that several new road projects will be undertaken in Manipur in the near future. The Minister announced that the DPR for an elevated road in Imphal is being prepared.
Gadkari further asked the Chief Minister to expedite land acquisition and utility shifting work in the state urgently, so that work on road projects could be speeded up. On issue Central Road Fund(CRF) also, he assured release of additional funds of about Rs 250 crore as soon as the utilization certificate is received from the State.
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The Minister informed that dredging has been completed in Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, and it is now possible to transport people and consignments through waterways. He suggested linking of Imphal with this river route, which is barely 50-60 kms, for getting added benefits for the state economy. He also called for adopting alternate fuel for public transport in the NE region, it being cheaper as well as environment-friendly.
Further, Gadkari highlighted the role of the MSME sector in improving the employment and economic scenario in Manipur. Informing about the recent expansion in the definition of MSME units, he exhorted the CM to utilise the opportunity and explore export potential of handicrafts, handloom, and honey, bamboo products etc which can provide employment to large number of people.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, Manipur being a hill-locked state with heavy rains, requires top-quality road network to withstand the vagaries of nature. He welcomed the decision of MoRTH in favour of a 25-km elevated Road in Imphal and pointed out the need for four-laning of Imphal-Loktak highway, which has heavy traffic, due to it being a famous tourist attraction.
MoS (I/c) for DONER and PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said, the event gives three important messages - that the Northeast continues to be the priority of the govt, that infrastructure works have continued in the region despite all odds, and that it is in keeping with the PM's call from the Red Fort for development of Rs 100 lakh crore infrastructure in the country.
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Highlighting on the Act East Policy, the MoS RTH Gen (Retd) V K Singh said the government has devoted special attention to the northeastern States. He said, Manipur plays an important role as it shares international border with Myanmar.
The trilateral highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand starts from Manipur. Moreover, efforts are on to ensure seamless traffic movement between the three countries. As informed by the minister, completion of two bridges over the rivers Barak and Maku on NH 37 by March next year will provide connectivity of the State with rest of the country.
