Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates 13 highway projects in Manipur

New Delhi: – Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Roads and Highways, inaugurated 13 highway projects via video conferencing in the state of Manipur. A provision of Rs 30 billion has been made for the projects. 316 kilometres of road in Manipur will be developed through these projects. These projects become important from the point of view of the development of northeastern states and the Act East policy.

Dr Jitendra Singh, appointed for the development of the northeastern states, Minister of State for roads and Highways General VK Singh and Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh attended the virtual function. The development of the northeastern states has been initiated under the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gadkari said at this time that the infrastructure development projects are being undertaken in these states. He further added that the highway projects in Manipur are a part of the same initiative. Manipur is just a beginning. Gadkari shared some critical information that infrastructure projects worth Rs 160 billion are in the pipeline in the state.

Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh expressed confidence that these 13 highway projects will improve the connectivity in Manipur. The infrastructure will be developed, and Manipur will become more competent, socially and economically. More employment opportunities will be generated too. A 106.5 kilometres long, four-lane highway will be built from Kohima in Nagaland to Imphal in Manipur with a capital investment of Rs 26.63 billion. A four-lane road, spanning 225 kilometres, with an investment of Rs 54.25 billion between Imphal to Jiraben, and a two-lane highway on N-129A will be built with an investment of Rs 17.65 billion. The projects will definitely help in the development of Manipur, but at the same time, it will become easier to connect to the south-east Asian countries. Manipur Chief Minister praised the Act East policy while thanking the Prime Minister for the projects.

Meanwhile, northeast India is the gateway to south-east Asia. Therefore, development in the northeastern states will provide an impetus to the Act East policy. In this scenario, the importance of the projects in Manipur increases further. In the last few years, India has carried out massive infrastructure projects not only in Manipur but also in the other northeastern states. They have been given the necessary priority. This has connected the other states to the northeastern states.

Meanwhile, a bridge near the Chinese border had collapsed, owing to the cloud burst and landslides in Uttarakhand in July. The Border Road Organisation built a 180 feet long belly bridge, in record time, countering tough challenges. 15,000 people from 20 villages will be benefited from this bridge. This will also ease army movements near the Chinese border.