Urban road project kicks off at some stretches
Imphal takes first steps towards rigid pavement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 12 2025: Construction of rigid pavement or concrete roads in Imphal East and Imphal West under Manipur Urban Road, Drainage and Asset Management & Improvement Project is making rapid progress, according to PWD Additional Chief Engineer Chongtham Bishwachandra.

Speaking to a few media persons this afternoon, Chongtham Bishwachandra who is also the Project Director of EAP said that the total estimated cost of Manipur Urban Road, Drainage and Asset Management & Improvement Project is Rs 3547.23 crore.

Of this total estimated cost, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will provide Rs 2896.02 crore in the form of loan while the State must produce Rs 751.21 crore as its share.

Urban road project kicks off at some stretches

After the project was given administrative approval on March 20 this year, the loan came into effect from May 14, Bishwachandra said.

The project has been divided into four packages and the total length of roads is 547.281 Kms.

Of the total length of 547.281 Kms, 483.388 Kms will be constructed with rigid pavement/white topping while 63.893 Kms will be black-topped with bituminous layer.

All these roads which would be completed with bituminous layer without rigid pavement run along river banks, he said.

Roads which run along river banks require frequent maintenance and repairing.

As such, these roads will have no rigid pavement.

On the other hand, roads constructed with rigid pavement will last for a long time without requiring maintenance or repairing even though construction of such roads needs much bigger investment, Bishwachandra said.

Package 1 and Package II of the project were awarded to DRAIPL-KSIPL on January 30 this year as a joint venture.

Package III and Package IV were awarded to AMRIL-IRCON on January 30 and February 7 this year respectively.

The two companies have been constructing the roads without giving sub-contract to any third party, the Additional CE said.

On account of frequent water-logging and prolonged non-maintenance many of the roads have lost their crush composition.

As such, a base layer of WMM would be laid first before it is topped with a bituminous layer.

A layer of rigid pavement or concrete would be laid over the bituminous layer, he said.

So far, bituminous layer has been laid over 50 Kms.

Lamphel quarters areas, Heingang area, New Checkon area, Konung Mamang, Andro Parking, RIMS Road, Lamdeng Road, Matai Garden etc have been laid with bituminous layer, he said.

PWD has also been coordinating with PHED with regard to some key roads of Imphal which could not be constructed at the moment, Bishwachandra said.

With the road construction works overlapping with sewerage project and water supply works, the project is delayed at some places thereby causing inconveniences to the public.

Considering the inconveniences of the public, the department has been considering laying bituminous layer on only one lane for the time being, he said.

Even though some roads are fit for laying concrete layer, construction materials and paver machines could not be procured as the National Highways have broken down.

The construction materials and the paver machines are currently stranded in Nagaland, he said.

Nonetheless, the department has been working to restore the National Highway in coordination with the NHIDCL .

A team of PWD officials went up to Mao and inspected the condition of NH-2, he said.

The time given to the companies to complete the project is three years and they will be responsible for maintenance of the roads for another five years.

As such, most roads of Imphal will be pothole free after eight years, the Additional CE said before appealing to all the people to bear with the inconveniences for some time.

One major component of the project is hydrology.

Under this component, a consultant would make a thorough study and recommend a plan to avoid flash floods and water-logging of roads.

Based on the recommendation of the consultant, the department concerned would determine the type of project which must be taken up to avoid flash floods, he added.

The roads/areas covered by Manipur Urban Road, Drainage and Asset Management & Improvement Project are; Uripok, Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Uripok Khoisnam Leikai, Nagamapal, Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai, Lalambung, Majorkhul, Thangal Bazar, RIMS Doctor Colony, Naoremthong, Iroisemba, Langol, Game Village, Takyel, Ghari, Tera, Lamboikhongnangkhong, Sagolband, Heingang, Luwangsangbam, Mantripukhri, Sangakpham, Nagaram Village, Chingmeirong, Dewlaland, Ragailong, Zomi Villa, Kairang, Kontha Ahallup, Khuman Lampak, Khurai Thoudam Leikai, Khurai Laishram Leikai, Khurai Salanthong Leikai, Porompat, Top Khongnang Makhong, Kongba, Wangkhei, Naharup, Naharup Pangong, Naharup Thongjao, Thongju, Bashikhong, Akampat, Tellipati, Hatta Minuthong, Checkon, Nongmeibung, Keikhu, Koirengei, Kyamgei, Langthabal, Kakwa, Monsangei, Heirangoithong, Singjamei, Malom, Chanchipur, Kwakeithel, Sangaiprou, Keishamthong, Ningombam, Hawairou (a small portion), Meitram, Changangei, Keishampat and Yaiskul.