MLA Muivah gets Centre's nod on 4-lane road project
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 20 2025: In a major boost to Manipur's connectivity, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah has successfully secured approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for the first phase of a proposed four-lane highway connecting Imphal to Ukhrul via Lamlang Gate.

According to The Dawn Tantak (TDT) news report, the first 25-km stretch, from Imphal to Yaingangpokpi, has already been sanctioned and tendered by NHIDCL, marking a critical step toward realising this transformative project.

The new route is part of a broader vision to create a faster, more sustainable alternative to the current NH-202, reducing travel distance by 10 km and addressing long-standing congestion and safety concerns.

MLA Muivah gets Centre's nod on 4-lane road project

MLA Ram Muivah, an IAS officer-turned politician, explained that the original proposal was submitted as an Externally Aided Project (EAP) .

However, facing delays, he approached MoRTH directly for faster execution.

"The Imphal-Yaingangpokpi section is technically sound and economically viable," he said.

"The remaining section toward Ukhrul will require a 500-metre tunnel under Mahadev Hills, followed by a near-straight alignment through the Thouna River valley.

Only about 7 km of the route will cross hilly terrain," TDT quoted the MLA as saying.

Muivah highlighted the project's larger impact stating that it aims to open up economic, tourism and social opportunities for Manipur's hill districts, especially Ukhrul, the state's second-largest district rich in natural resources like chromite, limestone and horticulture.

"This road is about more than just travel, it's about regional equity, opportunity and unlocking Ukhrul's full potential," he said.

According to Ram Muivah, traffic on the existing NH-202 has already crossed 10,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) per day and is expected to triple in the next two decades.

The existing road, though two-laned, is insufficient for this volume and has become prone to congestion and accidents.

The new highway is designed to improve travel time and reduce accidents.

It will also serve as an alternative to the landslide-prone Maram-Zubza (AH-1) stretch, while connecting key towns such as Lamlai, Litan, Shokvao, Tolloi, Sirarakhong and Somdal.

The project aims to improve access to education, healthcare and jobs in remote regions and boost tourism, especially to Shirui Lily and Mount Shirui.

The highway will be designed to allow speeds of 70 kmph on Grade B standard roads with minimal fatigue for drivers, he said.

Crucially, Muivah noted that the Lamlang Gate route is free from geological hazards such as sinking zones and subsidence, making it a more sustainable long-term solution for the state's highway infrastructure.

"This corridor is not only geologically stable but scenic, comparable to Pahalgam in Kashmir," he said.

The MLA also underscored the interstate benefits of the project, as the Lamlang Gate alignment will ultimately link Imphal to Kohima via Tadubi (NH-102A), strengthening Northeast India's internal and regional connectivity.

As feasibility studies for the remaining Yaingangpok-pi-Ukhrul section continue, Muivah remains optimistic and committed to the project's full realisation.

"The future of Manipur lies in connecting the hills and valley, not just physically, but economically and socially," he said while adding "This highway is the first step in that journey" .