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Imphal, Nov 13 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta on Thursday said the MoRTH is undertaking extensive work to strengthen road connectivity across Manipur, including 11 national highways with a total length of 1,774 kilometres.
The Union minister, who was on a three-day visit to Manipur, said 747 km of the total highway length has already been upgraded and many single-lane stretches have been converted to two-lane standards.
The remaining 332 km will be completed by financial year 2026-27. Overall, work is underway on 51 project packages involving an expenditure of Rs 12,000 crore in the last five years, he told the media.
Tamta said 35 project packages have been delayed due to land acquisition and forest clearance issues, but NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) has renewed its focus to ensure timely completion.
He said the three major highway corridors – Imphal to Jiribam (NH-37), Yingangpokpi to Finch Corner (NH-202) and Tamenglong to Mahur (NH-137), as well as Churachandpur to Tuivai (NH-102B) and Maram to Peren (NH-129A) are targeted to be completed by FY 2025-26.
Besides, the 658 km long India-Myanmar border road project is under feasibility assessment and will soon be declared a new national highway.
The Union Minister also confirmed that connectivity with Nagaland is being upgraded from single-lane to two-lane standards on three major routes – Ukhrul to Jessamy (NH-202, 156 km), Mao Gate to Imphal (NH-02, 97 km), and Maram to Peren NH-129A (104 km).
Tamta visited tribal-dominated Firzawal and Churachandpur districts during his first two-day visit and on Thursday visited another tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district and reviewed the works of both central and state schemes.
The Union Minister congratulated Deputy Commissioner Mahesh Chaudhary and NHIDCL officials for their dedicated efforts in improving the highway connecting Kangpokpi to Nagaland capital Kohima.
He described the route as an important corridor and the shortest link to Guwahati, noting that efforts are underway to resolve the blockage near Kohima to ensure smooth traffic and faster transportation of goods.
The Minister stressed the government’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure and regional connectivity. He praised the natural beauty and cultural richness of Manipur and said that the state is one of the most beautiful states in the world. He urged citizens to work together for a prosperous and peaceful future.
He also distributed various beneficiary items, including Ayushman Bharat cards, stationery under Tribal Gaurav, sports goods under Mission Vatsalya, a motorized winding machine and sewing machines under the National Handloom Development Program and sewing machines under the PM Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana (Machine Shakti).
The Union Minister held a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday night. A Raj Bhavan official said the meeting focused on strengthening road connectivity across the state, including the hilly and interior areas.
He discussed the various road development projects being implemented by NHIDCL and their role in improving accessibility, facilitating trade and promoting economic growth.
Both stressed the need for timely completion of these projects to enhance connectivity across Manipur and bring balanced development. The Minister also informed the Governor about his visit to various districts.
–IANS
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