Imphal: Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Sunday laid the foundation stones for 17 road projects at a cost of Rs 1152 cr in two functions held at Jiribam and Imphal.
He announced the government has decided to hand over responsibility of Imphal Jiribam highway to National highways and infrastructure development corporation Limited (NHIDCL) by taking it over from Border Roads Organisation of Indian Army.
He said the Barak and Makru bridges on National Highway no 37 Imphal-Jiribam road will be constructed at a cost of Rs 141 cr. NHIDCL a fully owned company of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, will also take up Ukhrul -Toloi-Tadubi projects covering 115 km at a cost of Rs 64 cr, Churachandpur- Singhat- Sinzawl-Tuivai projects covering 162 km at a cost of Rs 168 cr and Tamenglong-Khongsang road covering 40 km at a cost of Rs 19cr.
The Imphal-Jiribam highway still remains in the same condition as it was during the British era. The bridges couldn’t support heavy trucks and the highway was mostly maintained by the transporters and people of Manipur.
The union minister assured that the Imphal-Jiribam road will be repaired within three years.
The two bridges will be completed within 32 to 34 months. He further said the central government will take up 22 other projects in the state.
Gadkari further announced that the ministry will take up various projects through Public Works Department of Manipur. The roads were Mao gate to Imphal city covering 90 km at a cost of Rs 451.2 cr, Tipaikumkh, Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami covering 71 km at a cost of Rs 288 cr and Khumbong-Nambol-Mayang Imphal-Kakching-Lamkhai covering 15 km at a cost of Rs 20.9 cr.
The function held at Jiribam was attended by Gadkari, Prakash Javedkar, Minister HRD and BJP leaders.
In the function held at Imphal Chief Minister O Ibobi and BJP leaders attended.
Ibobi said Rs 3 crores sanctioned for maintenance of highways was not enough. He expressed happiness for announcing new road projects in the state.
The chief minister appealed the visiting Union ministers to appraise the Prime Minister and the Home Minister about the problems faced by the state due to the blockade imposed by organisation like United Naga Council (UNC) which is a frontal organisation of NSCN(IM).
He reminded that the NSCN(IM) is on truce with the union government . (UNI)
