Newmai News Network
Imphal, Oct 18: If things go off as planned, the National Highway-39 passing through Nagaland is likely to be abondoned by most travellers from Imphal to elswhere as the alternative route i.e national Highway-53 will come up soon in the “international standard”.
Delivering a speech in Imphal during a development seminar, Union Home secretary G.K Pillai said that the National Highway-53 connecting Manipur directly with Assam will be developed into the international standard and for which reason New Delhi has sanctioned Rs 300 crores. The task of undertaking the job has been handed over to the Border Road Organisation (BRO).
Many social organisations and transporters’ bodies have been pressing the Central Government as well as the State Government to develop the NNH-53, also known as Imphal-Silchar road as they can no longer travel along the NH-39 passing through Nagaland due to rampant extortions and harassments meted out to the transporters. These organisations also lamented over the national highways leading to Manipur.
Today’s development seminar was held for the Imphal East district. Similar programmes had already been held for Tamenglong, Senapati and Bishnupur districts. For Ukhrul, the seminar will held on Tuesday where the Union Home secretary will attend.
This is the flagship programme of the Central government where it aims to bring equal development in terms of infrastructure and facility availability in all the districts of India.
According to Manipur chief secretary D.S Poonia who spoke on the occasion said that the programme will bring transparency while executing the developmental works. He said that Manipur is far behind in terms of economic development but programme like this will give great boost to the state.
Besides, G.K Pillai and the State chief secretary, DoNER secretary Jayadi Chandra, Manipur Director General of Police Y Joykumar, the deputy commissioner of Imphal East and MLA Ng Bijoy were also participated in the programme.