Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08:
Besides formulating a plan for upgrading the Maram-Peren road with Central Government .assistance, the State Government has taken up measures to repair the Imphal-Moreh route in time for the Indo-Asean Car rally slated to flag off from November this year.
According to a highly placed source, proposals to upgrade the Maram-Peren road under the funding of- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways were submitted to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil during his recent State visit.
The road upgradation pla is being envisaged to ease man-made and natural inconveniences along National Highways 39 and 53 that serve as the main routes for transportation of goods and passengers to and from other States of the country.
The proposal for upgradation of the said route through Maram and Peren district of Nagaland State is to link Manipur with either Dimapur or Diphu in Assam where railheads exist, said the source.
As major portions of both NH-39 and 53 are prone to natural calamities like landslide and frequent disturbances due to human factors, finding an alternative route to keep the traffic in motion has been taken, it said.
With the road upgradation proposal already approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the State Government has also urged the Union Home Minister to take up appropriate steps for expedious implementation of the road scheme with project cost estimated at Rs 76 crore.
On the other hand, the State Government has also taken up plan to spruce up the Imphal-Moreh route to facilitate smooth conduct of the historic Indo-Asean Car Rally that aims at boosting trade ties with South East Asian countries.
The car rally will be flagged off by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 22 and is charted to pass through the North East region States till the border town of Moreh on the Indian side.
In order to ensure smooth passage of the 50 strong car taking part at the rally, Chairman of the State committee for the rally V Chibber (Principal Secretary-Election) has made a personal survey of the Imphal-Moreh road.
The official also assessed hotels and other lodging amenities to put up the rally participants at the border town before it commences to reach the final destination of Singapore via various south Asian countries, said the source.
The Principal Secretary is also reported to have instructed officials concerned of the highway division of State PWD to complete the road repairing works in time for the said rally.
The car rally would be represented by five participants each from the North Eastern Stales till Moreh.
Prior to commencement of the rally State Industries Department would hold a seminar in October month at Moreh with a view to improve the trade ties between India and Myanmar.
Representatives of Asean member countries would also take part in the seminar, said the source.
To ensure that all the participants are accommodated properly at Moreh the Principal Secretary had also instructed relevant officials to complete construction of the Jatri Niwas and Inspection Bureau complex at Moreh being undertaken by the State's Tourism and Power departments respectively.