Centre vows ₹1000 cr CRF fund for NH works
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 21 2024: Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has reportedly assured provision of Rs 1,000 crore from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for development of national highways in Manipur sector.

The assurance was given during Monday's review meeting on national highway projects being taken up in the North East by the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) held in New Delhi.

CM N Biren Singh and works minister Govindas Konthoujam attended the review meeting held in the presence of Union minister of state for road transport and highways Ajay Tamta and minister of state for road transport and highways and corporation Harsh Malhotra.

The review meeting was also attended by engineers of state PWD, top officials of forest department and representatives of work agencies currently engaged for national highway projects.

A well-placed source informed that Union minister Nitin Gadkari took serious note of disturbances and inordinate delays in implementing highway projects in the past one and half years due to the unrest situation in the state.

The union minister also instructed relevant officials to settle disputes related to land acquisition and obtain/complete forest clearance procedures at the earliest.

The minister also assured to provide Rs 1,000 crore from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for development of highways and sought a detailed project report.

The Union minister, however, cautioned that sanction of funds could be put on hold in case of failure to submit utilisation certificate in time.

The source further informed that Nitin Gadkari hinted at entrusting development works of the Imphal-Moirang road to NHIDCL if necessary.

Regarding the review meeting, CM Biren Singh posted on his social media platforms that Union minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged challenges faced in executing highway development projects in Manipur and stressed the need for accelerating highway projects in the state during the meeting.

The Union minister also strongly advocated initiation for improvement of roads and bridges in poor condition in the state at the earliest, Biren wrote.

He also expressed elation over Union minister Nitin Gad-kari's disclosure at the meeting that the Centre will soon announce new infrastructure projects for the state in addition to the ongoing projects.

The chief minister also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Nitin Gadkari for their continuous efforts and priority on ushering development in the North East region.

Comment