IMPHAL, December 11: The government has started the necessary groundwork for the construction of the proposed Ring Road of Greater Imphal with state Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar today leading an inspection team of the potential route for the proposed ring road.
The minister was accompanied by the additional chief engineer of PWD and other officialsduring the tour.
Several local MLAs also joined the team at their respective constituencies.
The state’s action has been taken up following approval of the said road from the Asian Development Bank which will be the funding agency through the Project Implementation Unit.
He said the state government will be sending the Detailed Project Report to the ADB by May next year, and the government is targeting to announce the tender during 2014.
The minister told media persons that the ADB will be releasing a total fund of Rs 240 crores.
According to the state Works minister, the total length of the proposed highway is 39.48 kms and will be 22 meters wide.
Elaborating on the importance of the proposed ring road, the minister said that the construction of the road will help minimise the traffic volume along the various roads of Greater Imphal areas.
As a result of the connectivity of the state with countries of South Asia in the backdrop of the improving India-Myanmar relation, the number of vehicles could dramatically increase in the state, he said before adding that in such a scenario the ring road will help reduce road traffic to a great extent.
He said the road will also help in better connectivity between the various important institutes of the state like the Manipur University, RIMS, JNIMS, Assembly, High Court complex, offices of the DCs, etc which all lies in the twin districts of Imphal East and West.
The road will also help better connectivity between the outlining areas of Greater Imphal, he continued.
During today’s inspection the team passed through the potential lists of ring road in Langthabal, Naoriya Pahanglakpa, Patsoi, Uripok, Thangmeiband, Wangkhei, Heingang, Khurai, Kshetrigao, Yaishkul, Thongju.