Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated 13 Projects worth around Rs 1,850 crores and laid the foundation stone of 9 projects worth around Rs 2,950 crore in a big push to the development of Manipur as part of the government’s “Act East Policy.”
Addressing a big rally in Imphal, the Prime Minister said that the earlier governments in Delhi had ignored Manipur and the North-east considering them as states that were too far away.
In sharp contrast to this policy, the Central government had now been brought to the doorstep of the people of the Northeast. Work on big infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, railway lines and airports in the region over the last 7 years bears eloquent proof of this fact, he added.
He also highlighted the fact that were as many as five ministers from the Northest in his government which reflected the increased importance of the states at the national level.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the construction of five National Highway Projects to be built at a cost of more than Rs 1700 crore.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Steel Bridge over Barak River on NH-37 built at a cost of over Rs 75 crore. The bridge will enhance seamless year-round connectivity to Silchar from Imphal and reduce traffic congestion.
He also dedicated, to the people of Manipur, 2,387 mobile telecom towers built at a cost of around Rs 1100 crores.
A Rs 280 crore worth 'Water Transmission system of Thoubal Multi-purpose project', which will provide drinking water supply to the Imphal city and two other water schemes for other towns built at a cost Rs 116 crore were also thrown open.
In an effort to strengthen the health sector in the state, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 'State of the Art Cancer Hospital' in Imphal worth around Rs 160 crore. Further, to boost the COVID related infrastructure in the State, Prime Minister inaugurated '200 Bedded COVID Hospital at Kiyamgei' which has been set up at a cost of about Rs 37 crore in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Prime Minister also inaugurated three projects of the Imphal Smart City Mission, developed at a cost of more than Rs 170 crore, 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 Prime Minister 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. He said the centre would provide more job opportunities to the youth of the state in the IT sector.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Manipur Institute of Performing Arts at Gurgaon, Haryana. The institute will be built at a cost of more than Rs 240 crore.
In line with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas.'
PM Modi said the project would help to safeguard and promote the culture of Manipur.
To strengthen the handloom industry in the State, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of two projects worth Rs 36 crore namely, 'Mega Handloom Cluster' at NongpokKakching in Imphal East District, which will benefit about 17,000 weavers in Imphal East District and 'Craft and Handloom village' in Moirang.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Government Residential Quarters at New Check on to be built at a cost of around Rs 390 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of a ropeway project at Ibudhou Marjing, Imphal East.
The Prime Minister also praised Manipur for the achievement of its athletes at the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games that had brought laurels for the country. He said that the new Sports University that was coming up in the state would help to improve standards even further through better guidance and coaching.
