• NET Web Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the gathering at Hapta Kangjeibung today at Imphal, Manipur asserted that “due to the continuous effort of the BJP-led government, there is no fire of militancy and insecurity in Northeast region, but today light of peace and development is prevailing along these regions.”

He also shared that “hundreds of youths across the North East have left arms and joined the mainstream of development”.

Speaking at launch of development initiatives in Imphal, Manipur. Watch https://t.co/2jFlSVAZZT

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2022

“Those who ruled in India and in Manipur for years encouraged situations that caused blockades, which harmed the local economy. Now, we are seeing movements like ‘Go to Hills’ and ‘Go to Village.’ The focus is on celebrating the culture of Manipur and strengthening the economy.” – he further added.

Those who ruled in India and in Manipur for years encouraged situations that caused blockades, which harmed the local economy.

Now, we are seeing movements like ‘Go to Hills’ and ‘Go to Village.’ The focus is on celebrating the culture of Manipur and strengthening the economy. pic.twitter.com/vK8GJrQ2GZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2022

PM Modi today inaugurated and laid foundation stone of 22 developmental projects worth Rs 4815 Crores in the state capital of Manipur, Imphal ahead of the upcoming 2022 Manipur Assembly Polls.

As per the PMO’s office, a total of 13 projects worth around Rs 1,850 crore and the foundation stones of nine projects worth around Rs 2,950 crore has been laid today in Manipur. These projects include – road infrastructure, drinking water supply, health, urban development, housing, information technology, skill development, art and culture, among others.

Keeping in view of the countrywide projects to improve connectivity, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of five National Highway (NH) Projects, to be built at a cost of more than Rs 1700 crores.

The construction of these highways with a cumulative length of more than 110 kilometres, is considered to be a major step to improve the road connectivity of the region.

Another important infrastructure that will enhance seamless year-round connectivity to Silchar from Imphal and reduce traffic congestion, is the construction of Steel Bridge built over Barak River on NH-37 built at a cost of over Rs 75 crore. This Steel Bridge has also been inaugurated by the Prime Minister during the programme.

A total of 2,387 mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 1100 crores have also been dedicated to the people of Manipur, which will act as a major step in further boosting the mobile connectivity of the state.

The projects being inaugurated by the Prime Minister also includes – Rs 280 crores worth ‘Water Transmission system of Thoubal Multi-purpose project’, which will provide drinking water supply to the Imphal city; the Water Supply Scheme project by Water Conservation, for Tamenglong Headquarters built at the cost of Rs 65 crore, to provide safe drinking water to residents of ten habitations of Tamenglong district; and the ‘Augmentation of Senapati District Headquarter Water Supply Scheme’ built at a cost of Rs. 51 crore to provide regular water supply to the residents of the area.

In an effort to strengthen the health sector in the state, PM has also laid the foundation stone of ‘State of the Art Cancer Hospital’ in Imphal worth around Rs. 160 crore on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. This cancer hospital will greatly benefit the people of state in reducing the out of the pocket expenditure, who otherwise have to go outside the state for availing cancer related diagnostic and treatment services.

Further, to boost the Covid related infrastructure in the State, Prime Minister has also inaugurated ‘200 Bedded Covid Hospital at Kiyamgei’ which has been set up at a cost of about Rs. 37 crore in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Prime Minister has also inaugurated three projects of the ‘Imphal Smart City Mission’, developed at a cost of over Rs 170 crores, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC)’, ‘Development of Western Riverfront on Imphal River (Phase I)’ and ‘Development of Mall Road at Thangal Bazar (Phase I)’.

The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will provide a variety of technology based services in the city, including traffic management, solid waste management and city surveillance. Other development projects under the mission will boost tourism & local economy and provide employment opportunities.

He has also laid the foundation stone of ‘Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT)’ to be built in the state at a cost of about Rs 200 crore. This project is the biggest PPP initiative in the State and will provide a boost to the Information Technology sector, besides creating employment opportunities in the state.

Further strengthening the rich cultural heritage of the state, the Prime Minister has also inaugurated the refurbished and renovated Govindajee Temple at Imphal, and also inaugurated the INA complex at Moirang that will showcase the significant role played by Indian National Army (INA) in India’s Independence Movement.

In line with the mantra of ‘SabkaSaath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas’, Prime Minister has also laid the foundation stone of 72 Projects worth over Rs 130 crore under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram’. These projects will provide the infrastructural support in health and education sectors for holistic development of the minority communities.

However, to strengthen the handloom industry in the State, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of two projects worth Rs. 36 crore namely, ‘Mega Handloom Cluster’ at Nongpok Kakching in Imphal East District, which will benefit about 17,000 weavers in Imphal East District and ‘Craft and Handloom village’ in Moirang which will help the weaving households, harness the tourism potential of Moirang and adjoin Loktak Lake thereby generating employment for the local populace.

Furthermore, Prime Minister has also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Government Residential Quarters at New Checkon which will be built at a cost of around Rs 390 crore. This will be an integrated housing colony with modern amenities. He has also laid the foundation stone of a ropeway project at Ibudhou Marjing, Imphal East.

Other projects being inaugurated by the Prime Minister include the new Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Kangpokpi under Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure (ESDI) and a new office building of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations.