Imphal: Centre is undertaking several road development projects to connect border areas with Myanmar and three northeastern states, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, stated this after inspecting road development projects in the remote areas along the Myanmar border over the past two days.
Addressing the media in Imphal on Wednesday night, the minister said that a 658 km Indo–Myanmar Border Road Project is currently under feasibility assessment and will soon be declared a new National Highway.
He informed that Manipur’s road connectivity with Nagaland is being upgraded from single-lane to two-lane standards on three major routes, Ukhrul to Jessami (NH-202, 156 km), Mao to Imphal (NH-02, 97 km), and Maram to Peren (NH-129A, 104 km).
Additionally, NHIDCL is developing a four-lane Greenfield alignment between Mao and Senapati to enhance interstate connectivity with Nagaland through the Senapati district.
In response to a media query, the minister said NHIDCL is preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for additional highways, including Churachandpur to Tipaimukh (NH-02, 262 km), which borders Mizoram, and a Greenfield alignment from Mao to Senapati (NH-02, 57.91 km).
Regarding connectivity between Assam and Manipur, he added that three major highway corridors, Imphal to Jiribam (NH-37), Yaingangpokpi to Finch Corner (NH-202), and Tamenglong to Mahur (NH-137), along with Churachandpur to Tuivai (NH-102B) and Maram to Peren (NH-129A) are targeted for completion by FY 2025–26.
The Imphal–Jiribam Highway (NH-37), widely regarded as the lifeline of Manipur, will be fully upgraded by FY 2025–26, with 152 km already blacktopped, he added.