Imphal: Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta on Wednesday said infrastructure projects worth Rs 12,000 crore are currently underway in Manipur to boost the state’s road network.
He added that these initiatives aim to strengthen connectivity and support economic growth across the region.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Tamta said 747 km of highways in Manipur have already been upgraded and blacktopped, with several single-lane stretches widened into two-lane roads.
“The remaining 332 km will be completed by the financial year 2026–27. In total, 51 project packages are being implemented in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore,” he said.
The minister added that the projects are being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the state Public Works Department (PWD). However, land acquisition and forest clearance issues have caused delays in 35 of the project packages, he noted.
Tamta said the NHIDCL is preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the upgrade of the 262-km Churachandpur–Tipaimukh highway. He also mentioned that a 658-km India–Myanmar border road project is currently under feasibility assessment and is expected to be declared a national highway soon.
Highlighting connectivity improvements with neighbouring Nagaland, the minister said three major routes — Ukhrul–Jessami (156 km), Mao–Imphal (97 km), and Maram–Peren (104 km) — are being upgraded from single-lane to two-lane roads.
He further said that the Imphal–Jiribam highway, considered Manipur’s lifeline, will be fully upgraded by the end of the current fiscal year, with 152 km already blacktopped.
Tamta emphasised that these projects underscore the Centre’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure and regional connectivity, which will help accelerate economic growth and improve accessibility across Manipur and the Northeast.
