Manipur to see ADB-supported highway widening.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved upgrade and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in the North Eastern state of Manipur as part of Asian Highway.

The project, costing about Rs.1,630.29 crores, will improve connectivity to Imphal in landlocked Manipur, where almost 90% of the area are under difficult terrain.

Based on the existing and projected traffic requirements the National Highway (NH)-39 will be widened to 4 lane between Lilong village and Wanginj village, while the stretch between Wanginj village to Khongkhang will be upgraded to 2 lane with paved shoulder.

The project is being developed with Asian Development Bank’s loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program which aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) to improve the regional connectivity among BBIN nations.

The project corridor is also a part of the Asian Highway No. 01 (AH01) and acts as India’s Gateway to the East. Thus trade, commerce and tourism in the region will get a boost.

The Indian government has notified an Integrated Custom Post (ICP) at Moreh for India’s “Look East” Policy and to promote and enhance trade link with South East Asia.

The development is to support the increased traffic volume expected for ICP.

The workers of Manipur who specialize in creating bamboo and wood based handicraft items and uniquely designed hand woven textile items will get a new market among the Myanmar’s customers.

Small scale industries such as those making farm implements and tools, stationery, plastic extrusion items, carpentry units, could also develop markets beyond the border.

Besides socio-economic development the project will reduce average travel time by nearly 40%.

In addition, the new features of road safety namely vehicular underpasses, crash barriers, road signs & markings, service roads for segregation of slow and high moving traffic, truck lay-by, bus-bays etc. fii-news.com