Imphal: As a continuation of the Government’s initiative to take up development projects, Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh laid the foundation stones for various development projects at Keirak, Kakching District, Sunday.
The projects which are estimated to be taken up with a total cost of Rs. 14 crore consist of the Manipur Road Project i.e., the Improvement of the road from Keirak to Wabagai Tera Urak and the Improvement of the road from Wabagai Tera Urak to Turel Mamei and construction of Football Ground with Natural Grass at Keirak.
The implementing agency for the first two road projects is DRDA, Kakching District and that of the football ground is Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited.
Addressing the gathering at the programme venue, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh informed that the football ground, for which the foundation stone was laid, would be constructed at a cost of around Rs. 8 crores. The ground will have an RCC gallery which includes a changing room and toilet too, he added. He continued that the State Government would be constructing a total of 11 such football grounds across the State.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the State had been witnessing a tough phase due to the present conflict and everyone had been facing much hardship. However, the Government must continue its development work alongside, taking up measures to restore peace and normalcy in the State.
He highlighted the root causes of the current conflict in the State, reiterating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central leaders had been taking up certain initiatives to protect the State and its indigenous people, apart from various development and welfare programmes. Mentioning different welfare schemes brought up by the Central and State Governments, he maintained that the Central leaders had much concern for the people of the State.
N. Biren stated that the repairing of road stretches from Mayang Imphal to Kakching Lamkhai would be started by the end of this year, informing that the Central Government has approved an amount of Rs. 480 crores for the same.
Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, while delivering his speech, appreciated the far-sighted vision of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and his initiative to preserve nature and maintain ecological balance. He spoke on the effect of environmental degradation due to certain human factors, stressing the need to keep a balance with nature.
Mentioning the talents of our youths in the field of games and sports, the Minister informed that 11 Football Grounds with natural grass would be constructed across the State. He recalled that the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and Youth Affairs and Sports Department had earlier signed an agreement to establish a football academy in the State under the technical support of AIFF and as such, some feather football grounds are needed to be constructed across the State. Considering the representation of footballers from Keirak at certain state and national events, the Government had decided to construct a football ground at the place.
He informed that the Central Government had approved Rs. 480 crore for construction work of the road from Mayang Imphal to Kakching Lamkhai and added that the road would be of four lanes except a 10 km stretch of 2 lanes.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also distributed certain items under the Samagra Shiksha flagship programme. CMHT cards, Ayushman Bharat cards, Old Age Pension Scheme, CM Widow Pension Scheme, NFSA ration cards, LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Job cards were also distributed to the beneficiaries.
