Imphal Ring Road Works on, liability paid but ADB yet to sanction loan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2025: Even though the works of Imphal Ring Road Project have achieved considerable progress and liabilities have been paid partially, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has not yet sanctioned any loan for the project as the State Government is unable to strike a deal with ADB on the loan terms.

Notably, the Imphal Ring Road Project was flagged off on January 29, 2024 by then Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The Imphal Ring Road was conceptualised to connect key Government institutions, departments, hospitals, police stations etc within walking distance.

The total length of Imphal Ring Road which would run around greater Imphal areas is 51.23 Kms approximately.

Even though the terms of the loan have not been negotiated with the ADB, a liability of around Rs 4 crore has been paid to Keystone for civil works and construction of drains.

However, not a single rupee has been paid to AMR, another company engaged in executing the project even though the State has a liability of around Rs 7 crore to be paid to the company, sources said.

A substantial amount for payment of land compensation was borne by the State Government even before the loan terms were negotiated with the ADB.

But the required land could not fully acquired till date.

There are problems in land acquisition in the Lamsang areas of Imphal West and the Thongju areas of Imphal East, said the sources.

As per rules, 90 per cent of the required lands should be handed over to the work agencies within 90 days of issuing the work order.

Nonetheless, as per an agreement between PWD and the contractors/companies, work on Imphal Ring Road Project was initiated after they were given just 50 per cent of the total lands required for the project.

One major factor delaying negotiation of loan terms between the State Government and the ADB is the re-alignment of the Imphal Ring Road.

Asserting that Epum Pat is a historical site, some people contended that the project should not touch Epum Pat.

Subsequently, the authorities made an attempt to re-align the ring road from Epum Pat to Chaithabi Leirak.

But again, some other people raised strong objections.

Meanwhile, certain politicians have been exerting strong pressure to align the Imphal Ring Road beside or through paddy fields.

If the ring road should be re-aligned through paddy fields, it will require a fresh survey and it will take a lot of time, said the sources.

The contention that Epum Pat is a historical site and it should not be touched is not a very tricky issue.

A number of documents have been already sent to the ADB to construct Imphal Ring Road without touching Epum Pat.

ADB is reportedly going through the documents.

However, it appears that the ADB has taken the matter with undue seriousness.

This may be another reason for the ADB's reluctance to negotiate loan terms, said the sources.

If the State Government and the ADB do not strike a deal on the loan by November, the fate of Imphal Ring Road Project may be left in limbo, said the sources.

Out of the total estimated cost of Rs 1660 crore, an amount of Rs 1340 crore is expected from the ADB in the form of loan, the sources added.

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