CM opens workshop on LEP township
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 04 2013: A two-day workshop on preparing a road map and a vision for development of a township at Haolenphai near Moreh in sync with the Government of India's Look East Policy was opened today at Hotel Classic here by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Ibobi remarked that Moreh occupies a strategic position in terms of political as well as economic relationship between India, China and the South East Asia.

Moreh would certainly grow up as an important exit and entry point to and from South East Asian countries through Myanmar.

Acknowledging the strategic importance of Moreh, the Government of India is giving top priority towards development of modern infrastructure at Moreh, Ibobi stated.

The ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement has been steadily reducing import duties between India and ASEAN countries.

Because of the strategic location of Moreh, Manipur is enjoying many benefits out of the trans-national cross border trade.

Given the potential of Moreh, it is important to develop all the necessary modern infrastructure at the border town.

Chief Minister O Ibobi lighting up the lamp

Noting that Moreh is still greatly handicapped by lack of many essential infrastructure, the Chief Minister underscored the need to develop a new township near Moreh.

Expressing satisfaction over the promptness of Commerce and Industries Department in identifying the area where the township would be developed, Ibobi informed the gathering that the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has been constructing an integrated check post at Moreh.

He also reminded that the Government encountered certain problems in the process to acquire land for the integrated check post.

This time too, the Government may face similar or complex problems when it starts land acquisition process for the proposed township.

A major issue broke out when the State Government acquired adjoining areas of Tulihal Airport for upgrading it to the level of an international airport.

Not only that, the Government endured a hard time when it started land acquisition process for the Jiribam-Tupul railway line which is slated for completion by 2016 .

Both the Government of India and the State Government have been closely monitoring the railway work so as to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated period.

The Chief Minister also listed law and order, power supply and road connectivity as primary requisites for any kind of infrastructure development.

Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam who presided the inaugural session elaborated that the proposed township would be equipped with facilities and infrastructure required for manufacturing activities, health care, IT education and services, logistic management, banking, foreign exchange market and financial services, tourist resort, amusement park, cultural centre, adventure sports etc.