In a significant push towards improved road infrastructure in Manipur, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sanctioned 50 new National Highway (NH) projects, totaling 1,026 kilometers in length. A large portion of this effort, 44 projects covering 902 kilometers, specifically targets Manipur’s challenging hill regions. As of now, 8 of these projects, spanning 125 kilometers, have been completed, with an additional 36 projects underway, collectively valued at ₹12,000 crore.
The Ministry’s Annual Plan for 2024-25 earmarks two additional NH projects in the hills, comprising 90 kilometers and budgeted at ₹1,350 crore.
Under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), the Ministry also greenlit a series of state road projects prioritized by the Manipur Government. Of 111 projects proposed, 57 received approval based on the Balance of State (BoS) ratio, now set at 9.81 against the permissible 4 for hilly regions, underscoring the state’s unique developmental needs.
Simultaneously, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a recent review session on National Highways for Nagaland, underscored the importance of advancing mobility infrastructure in the region. His post on social media platform X emphasized the collaborative push for sustainable, cost-effective road development as a means to enhance connectivity, economic growth, and regional integration.
In a follow-up post, Gadkari described Nagaland’s evolving highway network as “lifelines of growth,” aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for increased prosperity and connectivity in the North-East. This review was part of a broader two-day evaluation of NH projects across four North-Eastern states, aiming to set a solid course for accelerated infrastructure improvements across the region.
