Union Minister Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone for 16 national highway projects in Manipur

The Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on July 12, 2021, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 16 national highway projects in Manipur. The projects are worth Rs. 4,148 crores and covers a total length of 298 kms.

The minister, while inaugurating the projects in Imphal, also informed that the projects worth Rs. 5,000 crores have been passed for the state. The Detailed Project Reports (DPR) will also be completed within six months and the work on them will start in a year’s time.

While appreciating the beauty of Manipur, Gadkari highlighted the immense potential for tourism in the state and also sought the cooperation of all the stakeholders for the resolution of problems and to complete the projects in a given time.

Foundation stone laying and Inauguration of 16 NH Projects of 298 KM worth 4148 Cr in Manipur. #PragatiKaHighway https://t.co/AimCKfyvDz

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 12, 2021

Significance:

•  The newly inaugurated highway projects in Manipur will provide all-weather connectivity to the Northeastern state with the rest of India and the neighbouring countries.

•  These highway projects will boost the industrial, agriculture, and socio-economic progress of the region.

•  They will facilitate emergency service and healthcare to the remotest of the areas and will also generate employment and self-employment opportunities.

Expansion of highways under Bharatmala Phase II:

The Union Minister while inaugurating the projects said that the expansion of highways in Manipur will be recommended under Bharatmala Phase II.

He added that PM Modi had been giving the highest priority to the northeast region and that the road infrastructure will contribute to the development of the state and will make it economically and socially strong.

The minister said that power, transport, water, and communication are the four most significant things for the development of industry, for eradicating poverty, and for generating employment.