Manipur Chief Minister Flags Off Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road Project
7 March 2016
Construction of a new road from Imphal City to Tamenglong via Kangchup was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister of India's Manipur State, Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh, on 6 March 2016. The 103-kilometer (km) road improvement will enhance connectivity to Haflong on India's East West Corridor, and reduce the distance from Imphal to Guwahati, commercial hub of the North East region, by at least 90 kms.
Chief Minister Ibobi emphasized during the event that good connectivity is key to development of any land or region.
Road construction, which consists of 4-lane road widening in plain areas and 2-lane road construction in hilly terrain, is estimated to cost around $167 million. The Government of India will provide 90% of necessary funding, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program. The Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road construction is part of a larger program to improve a key strategic thoroughfare on the Asian Highway, integrating South and Southeast Asia, bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal.
The SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program, a $500 million loan (overall financing facility) approved in March 2014, aims to promote domestic and regional trade through Bangladesh's North Bengal and India's North Eastern Region by improving road connectivity and efficiency of 500 kms of international trade corridor. Improvements in road connectivity will enable efficient and safe transport within India, and regionally.
Also present at the inauguration were Dr. Kh. Ratankumar Singh, Works and Transport Minister; Mr. Ngamthang Haokip, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister; Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, Hill Areas Committee Chairman; MLA Janghemlung Pamei; MLA B. Brajabidhu; and other officials, including Sadar Hills ADC Members and Public Works Department Chief Engineer.
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