Economist pitches for free movement on NHs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 18 2025: Questioning who is controlling the two national highways which connect the state with the rest of the country, economist Prof N Mohendro said that ensuring free movement on the national highways is crucial in order to bring economic development in the state.

He made the remark at the release function of an IDS occasional paper titled 'Manipur towards Peaceful Resurgence (PR): Challenges' written by him, held at Manipur Press Club here on Sunday.

Senior journalist Hemantakumar Ningomba presided over the function while Thangjam Agro Industries Pvt Ltd managing director Thangjam Joykumar attended as guest of honour as Manipur University, department of economics professor N Damodar shared his views on the book.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Mohendro reflected on the state's talent pool in sports and cultural activities among others but lagging behind in economic activities.

Since a vibrant economy is considered the driving force to realise the goal of a progressive society, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Imphal produced the occasional paper to open doors for discussion on the sector, he said.

Assessing the geography, people and governance is crucial to bring improvement in society or a state.

It further leads to the analysis of agriculture, industry, service sector as well as rural development.

Keeping these in view, the IDS occasional paper strives to cover all these sectors, explained the professor.

For instance, he said, there is a shift in the definition and nature of tourism from the past to the present.

Once a tourist visits INA complex at Moirang and sees the statue of Subashchandra Bose, he/she does not have the urge to revisit in future.

In order to encourage revisits from tourists, the statue could be enhanced or redeveloped to make it nationally and internationally known, like the statue of unity in Gujarat.

At the same time, even after 72 years of independence, Manipur cannot achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural production, and neither can it bring development in industrial and transport infrastructure, observed the author.

Highlighting the role played by the two national highways in the Manipur sector, Prof Mohendro emphasised on the need for ensuring free movement on the highways to enable the economy grow and flourish.

Many such perspectives are highlighted in the IDS occasional paper, he added.

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