IMPHAL, October 31: State Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar today inaugurated a Sub-Divisional office cum Block Development Office at the ADC complex Moreh today.
The inaugural function was also attended by RD and PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa, Parliamentary Secretary, YAS and Tourism, M Prithiviraj, Tengoupal MLA D Korungthang and ADC Chandel Chairman Lhukhosei Zou as chief guest and guests of honour, respectively.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar said that in order to shorten the Imphal- Moreh highway, an alternative route from Heirok to Khudengthabi is under construction under the PM Special package.
The Minister continued that under with the implementation of Look East policy in the region, Moreh town has become the gateway of South East Asia and as such there is a rising need to develop the border town.
Considering all the facts, the state government is utilizing Rs 80 lakhs from the state funds besides central funding to develop the town, he said.
He elaborated that the state Works department has received only Rs 120 crores for the current year out of which the department has earmarked a Rs 80 lakhs for the development of Moreh town as a top priority.
Except for the construction of the road stretch entrusted to Hyderabad based Avantika company work along most of the road has been completed, he said.
He also expressed that the highway which has a 2012December deadline for completion is almost 50 percent completed.
The Minister further expressed that there will be no compromise on the work quality of the development of the border town which has been undertaken on a long term basis.
He also expressed that in order to facilitate the overall development of Moreh town, the state government has already sent Detailed Project Report for funding from Central Road Fund, None Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, North East Council from the centre.
He continued that once the construction work of the Heirok-Khudengthabi road is completed, the Imphal-Moreh highway will be relatively shortened.
The Minister also informed that in order to develop the approach roads towards Moreh, the state has already sent DPR for fundings from the NEC.
Meanwhile, coming back to the inauguration of the SDO office today, the Minister expressed that it will help not only the people of the area but also the staffs of the office. Continuing that such government office cannot work properly without support from the people, he appealed to the people of the area to extend their support to the working of the newly inaugurated office.
Meanwhile, Tengoupal MLA, Korungthang expressed the need for participation from the church leaders and community leaders for the development of the society.
He said development is not just about roads, buildings and construction of infrastructures but the unity amongst the several communities residing in the area is also needed for the development of the area.