IMPHAL, March 7: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today flagged off the development project of the 103.02 km long Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road at Kangchup Chiru.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ibobi said it is his government’s desire to improve connectivity between the hills and the valley and bring the two closer.
He said connectivity and communication are the back-bones of a developed society and better connectivity will only boost the economy of the State.
Developed road connectivity will also bring together the people living in Manipur, he said, stressing further that the government has taken initiatives to improve connectivity in the interior parts of the State.
Other than the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road, the government has also set as priority the construction of roads connecting Thoubal and Kasom Khullen, Imphal and Moreh via Heirok Road and Churachandpur with Thanlon, Parbung and Tipaimukh. He said these projects are all undertaken under externally aided projects.
He said the government has commenced the process to start construction of the roads with the DPRs being submitted in 2012-13.
Ibobi continued the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road which is set to be completed within 42 months will shorten the distance to Tamenglong from Imphal by around 43 km from the existing Imphal Tamenglong road.
The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance had approved the inclusion of two State roads under South Asia & South East Connectivity Road Connectivity Investment Program with assistance from the Asian Development Fund and a funding pattern of 90:10 between the Centre and the State.
It may be mentioned that 12.9km stretch of the 103.02 km long road will be in the Imphal Valley, while the remaining 90.3 km will be in the hills connecting Kanchup to Tamenglong.
The Chief Minister also said that considering the traffic congestion in Imphal City, construction work of the Imphal Ring Road will commence soon.
While stating that his government will ensure with monthly inspections that the concerned companies involved in the construction of the Ring Road are maintaining proper quality and be able to meet the set deadline, he further urged the people living along the proposed road to support and cooperate with the government in the construction.
The 36km long Ring Road will address the current vehicular congestions in the State capital, he added.
The State Chief Minister further called on the villagers to preserve forest to combat the serious issue of global warming and said that Kangchup Chiru could be promoted to a tourism destination if nature’s beauty is maintained.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said today will be a historic day as a remarkable project of the State is being flagged off today.
He said that Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road was used by the British as one of the most important roads.
As the saying goes “History repeats itself”, such an important road of the past will once again become one of the most important roads, he observed.
He said 19 villages have donated the required land for the construction of the road at a cost of around Rs 1297.56 crores.
The stretch of the road from Naoremthong to Lamsang Bridge which is 5.54 km long will be made four lane, and the 7.35 km long stretch from Lamsang Bridge to Kangchup foothills will be made a 10 metre wide double lane including paved shoulders, while the remaining stretch of the road will also be made double lane. The road will have six major bridges and nine small bridges.
The ceremony was also attended by IFC, Printing & Stationery minister Ngamthang Haokip; Works & Transport minister Dr Kh Ratankumar; Chairman Hill Area Committee Dr Chaltonlien Amo; Vice Chairmen Hill Area Committee Kikhonbou Newmai and MLA Tamenglong Janghemlung Pamei.