Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network) Under “Vikshit Bharat Vikshit North East” programme Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled hordes of projects worth Rs 55,600 crore for six northeast states, including Manipur, in Itanagar.
For conflict-hit Manipur, various projects worth around Rs 3500 crores were virtually flagged off and foundation stones laid. Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura are the five other states of the region covered by the Vikshit programme unveiled on the day.
Chief minister N Biren Singh, addressing a function of the event at the City Convention Centre in Imphal East district, said that the northeast states have seen a big change since Modi became the country’s PM.
The projects for Manipur, for which the foundation stones were laid, among others, include Construction of a 60-bedded State Mental Hosptial, a Unity Mall, Infrastructure development of Manipur Technical University and Infrastructure development of Processing zone of IT SEZ.
Others are Football grounds with natural grass at 7 locations, School infrastructure development, 2 road projects under NESIDS, 2 National Highway projects ( Imphal-Jiribam and Ukhrul-Taloi-Tadubi) and 4 bridges under Setu Bandhan.
The inaugurated projects of the state are 2 roads under CRIF, Water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission, Craft Handloom village, 4 National Highway projects (Imphal-Moreh, Tamenglong-Khongsang, Maram-Paren and Churachandpur-Tuivai).
Highlighting the foundation stone laying of a Unity Mall at a project cost of around Rs 149 crore, the CM said that the Mall will have separate stalls for all recognized communities in the state.
Further stating that it is an important project which was proposed by the state government, Biren thanked the PM for approving it.
He said that the PM had suggested laying special focus on sports to divert the youth from drugs which has led to ideas like One Village, One ground (Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama).
Highlighting the plights of the endangered Sangai, brow antlered deer, the CM observed the need to preserve and protect nature and the environment and said “people should understand that people depend on nature to survive and that it is not nature that depends on humans to survive.”
Emphasizing the rejuvenation work of water body at Lamphelpat in Imphal West district, Biren said “today a lot of environmental changes like arrival of migratory birds have been witnessed in the area. There is the need to develop and preserve more water bodies in the state.”
Highlighting the Centre’s decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and concern for border fencing and implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state Biren said the positive steps taken up by the Centre should be appreciated by the people.
