Gadkari inaugurates Makru bridge, lays foundation stones for various projects
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 12 2021: Fulfilling the long awaited dream of the people of Manipur, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated the Makru bridge at Tamenglong.

The Union Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 15 other National Highway projects at a grand function organised by the State Government at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound.

The projects will cover a length of 298 kilometres with an investment of Rs 4,148 crore.

During his one day visit to the State, Nitin Gadkari was accorded a warm welcome by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his Cabinet colleagues at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.

The projects which were inaugurated by the Union Minister included 2 laning of Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 from Wangjing to Khongkhang (46 km costing Rs 869 crore), strengthening of existing 2 lane including construction of paved shoulder from Mao to Senapati section (48 km costing Rs 235 crore), strengthening of the existing 2 lane including construction of paved shoulder of Senapati-Kangpokpi-Koubru Leikha section (27 km costing Rs 140 crore) and Superstructure Bridge over River Makru on Jiribam-Barak road on NH-37 with approaches (855 meter costing Rs 62 crore) .

Gadkari inaugurates Makru bridge, lays foundation stones for various projects

Foundation stones were laid for 12 other projects including improvement/up-gradation to 4 lane Highway from Taphoukuki to Daili section of Imphal-Kohima road (13 km with a project cost of Rs 379 crore), widening and improvement with paved shoulders from Khudengthabi (LHS) & Lokchao (RHS) to Moreh Friendship Bridge of Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 (19 km costing Rs.278 crore), improvement/up-gradation to 4 lane Highway from Daili to Kuraopokpi section of Imphal-Kohima road (12 km costing Rs 269 crore), widening and improvement with paved shoulders from Khongkhang to Khudengthabi (LHS) & Lokchao (RHS) of Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 (10 km costing Rs 260 crore), 2 laning with paved shoulder from Old Tamenglong to near Phelong of Tamenglong Mahur section (12 km costing Rs.234 crore), 2 laning with hard shoulders from Bendramai to Zuimi of Maram-Paren section of NH-129A (18 km costing Rs 232 crore), improvement/up-gradation to 4 lane Highway from Kuraopokpi to Sekmai section of Imphal Kohima Road (11 km costing Rs 229 crore), 2 laning with hard shoulders from Maram Centre to Maram Duigan of Maram-Peren section of NH-129A (22km costing Rs 226 crore), improvement/upgradation to 4 lane Highway from Sekmai to Nilakuthi section of Imphal Kohima Road (11 km costing Rs.212 crore), 2 laning with paved shoulder from Keithelmanbi to Kotlen of Imphal to Jiribam section of NH-37 (17 km costing Rs 195 crore), 2 laning with hard shoulders from Maram Duigan to Willong Khullen of Maram-Peren section of NH-129A (18 km costing Rs 188 crore) and 2 laning with paved shoulder from Oriental College to Keithelmanbi of Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 (13 km costing Rs 140 crore) .

On the occasion, Nitin Gadkari stated that progress of any Nation depends on the growth of Agriculture, Industries and Service sectors and that only a visionary leader with appropriate decision and policies could bring socio-economic transformation.

He expressed firm belief that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Manipur would transform into one of the prosperous States in the country.

Gadkari also maintained that the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had always given priority to the development of North Eastern States.

Asserting that there is no dearth of funds in the Central Government, he urged the State Government to cooperate with his Ministry and expedite the works to the optimum and also asked the authorities to solve any issues in land acquisition and environment clearance of the projects at an early date.

Stating that the country had incurred a large amount of expenses in importing petroleum products, he informed that the Central Government is working on diversification of agriculture into the energy and power sectors.

He stressed on the need to create employment potential in the backward area of the country, by making agriculture economically viable, which would help in eradicating poverty.

Expressing happiness on his ability to contribute to the development of the road infrastructure of the State, he stated that the National Highway projects which were inaugurated today would further boost the overall development of the State.

He informed that the Ministry had already sanctioned DPR of Rs.5,102 crore and projects costing around Rs 10,671 crore would be sanctioned for the year 2021-22 .

The Union Minister added that the Annual Plan for the State had been raised to Rs 5,000 crore from the earlier of around Rs 300 crore.

Assuring that the Ministry has no lack of resources, Nitin Gadkari sought support of the people in carrying out development projects.

He further assured to include the expansion of 350 km of National Highways in Phase –II of Bharatmala Projects.

He also announced the establishment of a Model Inspection and Certification Centre in the State to test vehicles' fitness.

According to sanction for an elevated highway project with a cost of Rs 5,000 crore, the Union Minister asked the State Government to complete the DPR and start the tender process.

He also cleared and sanctioned certain projects proposed by the Chief Minister.

Delivering his presidential speech, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that the inauguration of Makru Bridge was a milestone achievement for enabling seamless movement of goods and services along the NH-37, bringing relief to both transporters and the general public.

Informing that the construction of Barak Bridge would also be completed before December this year, he maintained that the Government had been extending all possible assistance in removing difficulties for timely completion of the bridge.

Expressing gratitude to the Union Minister for inaugurating and laying foundation stones for 16 National Highway projects, N Biren Singh requested the Union Minister to consider sanction of proposal of significant projects submitted by the State Government.

The proposal includes up-gradation of 7 State roads of strategic and economic importance covering a total length of 433 Kms, construction of Trans Manipur Highway (approximately 800 km) along the State's border by upgrading and reconstruction of existing state roads, four laning of Imphal-Moirang road considering the cultural and commercial importance of the road with a proposal for full compensation for land acquisition to be borne by NHIDCL, to provide a road network of around 1,040 km for direct and intra connectivity between hill districts, to fast track the implementation of the Elevated Highways Project, improvement of road stretch from Kangpokpi to Tamei proceeding to Tenning under Inter State Connectivity Scheme or any other Schemes of the Ministry and extending of Hill Area Development Programme to remaining hill districts of the State with a request to enhance allocation to at least Rs.100 crore per district.

Thanking the Union Minister for his immense support for development of the State, he assured commitment of the State Government to extend all possible efforts to ensure completion of the projects on time.

Union Minister of State for Development of North Easter Region and Ministry of Cooperation BL Verma, Works Minister Th Biswajit Singh, MPs Dr Lorho S Pfoze (Lok Sabha ) and Leishemba Sanajaoba (Rajya Sabha) were the guests of honour.

Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, DGP, high ranking civil and police officials of the Central and State Government and officials of NHIDCL also attended the function among others.

After the function, Nitin Gadkari accompanied by N Biren Singh, BL Verma, Ministers, MPs and MLAs visited Tamenglong by helicopter and flagged off the transportation at the Makru Bridge.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd is the implementing agency for the projects which were inaugurated today and those whose foundation stones were laid.