Power to improve by June, not March: CM Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 04 2013: Citing inability to obtain Forest Clearance as the main reason for missing the March deadline, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today said that power situation in the state can now be improved by June this year not March as promised by the government.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the inaugural function of a two-day long Workshop on 'New Township at Moreh" being organized by Commerce & Industries Department at Hotel Classic here today, Ibobi pointed out that in accordance to a ruling of the Supreme Court, obtaining of clearance from the Ministry of Forest is mandatory for linking high capacity transmission cable of 400 KV from Yurembam to Jiribam.

As for now, the government is yet to get the clearance from the Ministry and the people will have to wait for some more months to see improvement in the electricity supply.

Once the cable has been linked, the power situation in the state will improve significantly as Manipur would get its share from the Tripura Gas Power Plant, the Chief Minister assured.

He further stated that companies and factories in other states do not want to open their branches in Manipur due to poor power situation, bad transport system and connectivity and insurgency problem.

So, the Government is giving special attention towards improvement of power situation and road connectivity keeping in mind the ever increasing unemployment problem in the state.

For the sake of better transport system, the Government is discussing with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Civil Aviation Ministry to upgrade the Imphal Airport into an International Airport by acquiring more than 1000 acres of land for expanding the boundary of the Airport, he said, adding that there is high possibility of the Centre approving the proposal for translating it into action.

In addition to this, construction of rail line from Jiribam to Tupul is being taken up and the government is targeting to complete the construction work by 2016.The government is also pressing the Prime Minister to sanction not less than Rs 700 crore for the upgradation of the road from Tupul to Imphal in the next fiscal year, he informed.

The Chief Minister went on to say that Moreh market is an important point, which connects India with other ASEAN countries and South Western parts of China through the ASEAN Highway 1, 2 and Trilateral Highway.

So, the State government has begun to plan for upgradation of Moreh market to get maximum benefits from business and other sectors.

The Chief Minister further informed that the government has already acquired 50 acres of land for the setting up an Integrated Check Post at Moreh and pressure is being exerted on the Ministry of Home Affairs for early commencement of the construction of the proposed Integrated Check Post.

Besides, the government has selected an area of 2500 acres for the construction of New Moreh Markey, Ibobi said, while admitting that the existing Moreh Market is outdated.

Citing Singapore as an example which has attained the height of development through business, Chief Minister O Ibobi maintained that the State government too is planning to bring a new height of development in the state through development of Moreh Market for better business transaction with other ASEAN countries and Yunan Province of China.

While encouraging entrepreneurs to come up with innovative projects for ushering in industrial development in the state, the Chief Minister assured that his government would extend assistance to all those who would like to establish industries and business units in the state.

Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, who presided over the function, said that the proposed Bus Service from Imphal to Mandalay will be launch shortly.

Apart from the Rs 136 crore Integrated Check Post, which would come up soon, Manipur Development Society is also planning to set up an International Bus Terminus at Moreh.

Moreover, the government is discussing to develop other sectors of trade and commerce, health, communication, education and tourism in the state to avail maximum benefits from the new connectivity with ASEAN countries.

Additional Chief Planner of Town and Country Planning Organisation, KK Jaadder; Principal Secretary of Commerce and Industries O Nabakishore and Director of Commerce and Industries John were also present among others in the function.

The workshop will conclude tomorrow.

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