DoNER suggests CS to consider 'dedicated road corridor' to hill areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2025: Amid stiff opposition by many sections of people including the Nagas against the proposed construction of Tiger/German road, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has written to Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel to consider developing a dedicated road corridor to Manipur's hill areas.

The controversial letter addressed to the Chief Secretary was signed by the Joint Director of DoNER Pausianmuang Tunglut on August 6 .

Additionally, the letter also included a memorandum submitted by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) to President Draupadi Murmu, dated August 1, which sought the development of a dedicated road corridor to Manipur's hill regions, aligning with the vision of the Tiger/German road.

The DoNER Joint Director said that the development of the road corridor may be considered as per the policy, need and priority of the State Government.

The letter read "I am directed to forward herewith a copy of memorandum dated 1st August 2025 received from Kuki Inpi Manipur on the above mentioned subject and to request that the proposal of development of a road corridor to the hill areas of Manipur, may be considered as per the policy, need and priority of the State Government" .

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to one Lenin Haokip who is the legal affairs secretary of the Kuki Inpi Manipur.

However, the Manipur Government, during a meeting with Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) yesterday, had clarified that the Government has not approved or sanctioned the controversial German/Tiger road.

The Government also assured that necessary legal action would be taken after verification, and any illegal construction or naming would not be permitted.

FNCC called off the blockade which started on July 18 after reaching an agreement with the Government officials.

The bandh was called to protest against the proposed construction of the so-called Tiger/German road through Naga areas, poppy plantation and relocation of camps of Kuki-Zo militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement near Naga villages.

The road's construction and naming are also contentious due to its perceived association with Kuki armed groups, which the Naga people find objectionable.

The FNCC characterized the bandh as a peaceful yet resolute stance to safeguard Naga ancestral land, identity, and security.

The bandh drew widespread support from various organizations across Manipur, reflecting the growing discontent and anger stemming from perceived systemic neglect of indigenous rights and concerns.

Meanwhile, a source said the that the DoNER's letter to the Government was not a directive to build the road.

Rather, it was a formal forwarding of a representation from a community body, with a request for the State to consider it.

The DoNER Ministry has the authority to forward such proposals but not to compel construction-unless the project is sanctioned under a Centrally-funded scheme with agreed conditions, said the source.

Further, the Ministry of DoNER doesn't have direct executive authority over the State Public Works or infrastructure execution.

Its role is mainly coordinating, funding, and facilitating development projects in the North Eastern Region.

The execution authority for roads within a State lies with the State Government - PWD, State Transport, etc for State roads, and the Ministry of Road Trapsport & Highways (MoRTH) or Border Roads Organisation for National-level or strategic roads.

The DoNER can recommend, fund under its schemes, or forward proposals, but cannot force a State to take up a project unless tied to a Centrally-funded scheme with binding terms, said the source.

The letter was forwarded after receiving a memorandum from the Kuki Inpi Manipur on August 1, 2025.By forwarding it to the Chief Secretary, DoNER is informing the State that such as request exists, and further it is suggesting the State that it may evaluate it against its own policy and priorities.

It is not a binding directive.

The decision entirely lies with the State, said the source.

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