Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched the ambitious Imphal Ring Road Project that will connect all the greater Imphal area of the state on Monday.
The project which will cost around Rs. 1,766 crore will be taken up with financial assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB), officials of the State Public Works Department said.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the project at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai near Patsoi on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh said that the projects would improve the living standard of the people, adding that leaders should always work for the welfare of the people at the grassroots.
The Chief Minister also informed that the Lamphelpat Water Body Rejuvenation Project had been taken up with an estimated cost of around Rs. 650 crores. The project includes 300 acres of the water body area and around 140 acres for a recreation centre, he added. He further informed of the plan to connect the recreation centre and the Imphal View Tower at Cheirao Ching by cable car.
Expressing satisfaction, N. Biren Singh informed that migratory birds, which were not seen earlier, could be seen these days at Lamphelpat after around 109 years.
He mentioned the initiatives taken up by the Government to clean the Nambul River and transportation of household waste through pipelines to the Sewerage treatment plant. He further raised concern about the environmental degradation through mass deforestation of forest areas and the water scarcity problem that the State could face in future, mentioning the necessity of preserving water bodies.
Mentioning the newly launched scheme “Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama”, the Chief Minister announced to development of the ground at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai. He also informed that Oriental College, at Patsoi Assembly Constituency, would be developed with a project costing Rs. 6.40 crore. Apart from this, the college will be covered under the College Fagathansi Mission, to improve its infrastructure with an amount of Rs. 2.5 crore under the scheme, he said.
Concluding his speech, N. Biren stated that Manipur has been passing through a rough phase and everyone is bearing the hardship. Assuring that the State Government would protect the State from those vested interest groups who want to disintegrate its unity, he stressed the need for unity among people of the State and sought their support and cooperation.
Giving the keynote address, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the total distance of the project is 51.23 km, of which 9.5 km would be of 4 lanes, while the remaining distance would be of 2 lanes with paved shoulders.
The road includes an 18 km stretch of green field with solar lamp, a footpath and a cycle lane. He mentioned that various amenities like food plazas would be set up along the 4-lane stretch road. Within the 4-lane stretch, the provision of cycle lanes and jogging lanes would be included in a stretch of 1 km.
The Minister continued that out of the total cost of Rs. 1766 crore, an amount of Rs. 1374.75 crore would be sanctioned by ADB for the construction of roads and bridges and the remaining amount would be borne by the State and the Central Government for land acquisition and others. 90 per cent of the loan amount sanctioned by the ADB would be granted and the remaining 10 per cent (Rs. 137.47 crore) of the loan amount and the interest would be repaid by the Central Government.
Govinda expected that the project would generate 18 lakhs man days direct employment and 13.5 lakhs man days indirect employment.
