Ibobi flags off Imp-Tml road construction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 07 2016: Chief Minister O Ibobi today flagged off the construction of a new road from Imphal to Tamenglong via Kangchup.

Construction of the 103 Kms long road is being funded by the Centre and the State Government at the ratio of 90:10.The Government of India's share of 90 per cent will come in the form of loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The accepted bid price for the road which would constructed as a highway world class standard under Road Connectivity Improvement Programme of South Asia Sub-regional Economic Corporation (SASEC) is Rs 1114.18 crore.

This amount is exclusive of the money required for payment of compensation.

ADB would give the amount of Rs 1114.18 crore as loan to the Government of India.

The road is targeted for completion within three years and six months and it would be constructed by Hindustan Construction Company Limited and Vensar Construction Company Limited as a joint venture.

CM O Ibobi and Dy CM Gaikhangam cutting the ribbon to kick start the road construction

Meanwhile, the State Gov ernment and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) have sent a proposal for construction of another road from Tamenglong to Mahur (Haflong), Assam following the same funding pattern in the second phase of the road construction work flagged off today.

The new road from Tamenglong to Mahur would be connected with the East-West Expressway being constructed by MoRTH.

The Ministry is already preparing a DPR for the road which would be taken up in the second phase.

If the necessary amount of the second phase is also sanctioned by ADB and there is a standard highway from Imphal to Mahur (Haflong) via Kangchup and Tamenglong which is further connected to the East-West Expressway, it would turn out to be a key link among India, ASEAN and Bangladesh.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who presided the flag-off function stated that he was gratified on seeing the efforts to construct a much shorter road between Imphal and Tamenglong.

Many of the projects/programmes taken up by the incumbent Government during the last 13/14 years were never conceptualised or implemented earlier.

This is something visible but it is rather unfortunate that some people have been acting blind and deaf to all developments.

"We would not like to talk about all these developments for it would look like self-acclamation but we are constrained to highlight these developments as some people have been repeatedly attempting to mislead the public", Gaikhangam asserted.

A few hill men had earlier held the post of Chief Minister but they never undertook development activities on such extensive scales in the hill areas during their respective periods.

Construction of mini-secretariats, mini-stadia and development of infrastructure at the level of sub-divisions in hill districts including SDO/BDO offices together with staff quarters and security barracks were/are undertaken under the incumbent Government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi.

All these things did not take place earlier and such development activities are yet to be taken in many sub-divisions of the valley district.

Rather than appreciating all these works which are unprecedented, some elements have been consistently churning volumes of propaganda alleging that the hill areas have been neglected and nothing has been done for development of hill districts.

No one has any grudge against the State Government's decision to set up IIIT at Senapati.

Even though establishment of such an institution would go much more smoothly in the valley area, Chief Minister O Ibobi is determined to not to concentrate all such institutions and infrastructure in the valley alone.

In addition, crores of rupees are being invested in the hill areas under PMGSY for construction of roads, Gaikhangam continued.

People must accept the truth even if some people have been floating malicious propaganda.

Reacting to several media reports, Gaikhangam expressed keen desire to filter out undue exaggeration.

If those people must criticise the Government, they may do it with decent and parliamentary words.

Manipur is a land which values good manner and politeness.

Telling heaps of lies interspersed with profane or vulgar words at public gatherings is something unacceptable in Manipuri society, Gaikhangam asserted.

Speaking at the gathering as chief guest, Chief Minister O Ibobi asserted that good connectivity is the key to development of any land or region.

Uniform development can be achieved across the State when there is better means of communication and transport.

ADB was willing to give loan for infrastructure development of the State after the Government managed to maintain the State GSDP at 3.5 per cent.

In addition to Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road, plans are also afoot to construct Imphal ring road with monetary assistance from ADB.

Imphal-Moreh road via Heirok has also been included in ADB's panel of list.

Claiming that people would benefit a lot from Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road, Ibobi asserted that the road construction work would be reviewed every month so that there is no undue delay.

Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Hill Areas Committee Chairman Dr Chaltonlien Amo, MLA Janghemlung Pamei, MLA B Brajabidhu, Sadar Hills ADC Members, PWD Chief Engineer, high ranking engineers and chiefs of surrounding villages were also present at the flag-off function.