Prime Minister visit to Manipur

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, January 4, 2019: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Manipur and inaugurated integrated Check Post located at Indo-Myanmar border town at a public gathering at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East.

He also inaugurated Dolaithabi Barrage Project and Food Corporation of India food storage godown located in Imphal East, buffer water reservoirs at Shirui village in Ukhrul, improvement and upgradation of water supply for Cahurachandpur Zone-III, eco-tourism complex at Thangal Surung in Kangpokpi district, Integrated Tourist Destination at Tupul in Noney district and water supply scheme at Jawahar Nabodaya Vidyalaya at Lambui in Ukhrul and its surrounding villages.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the 400 kV Double Circuit Silchar-Imphal Line.

The Integrated Check Post will have various offices to facilitate custom clearance, foreign currency exchange, immigration clearance etc, said the Prime Minister.

He also laid foundation stones for infrastructural development of Dhanamanjuri University, installation of flood lighting at hockey stadium and at main stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports complex and for an Astro Turf Footfall ground at Langjing Achouba in Imphal West.

The Prime Minister said projects worth over Rs. 1500 crore have either been inaugurated, or the foundation stone has been laid for Manipur people that would improve easy living for the people.

The Prime Minister announced that five helipads will be constructed under UDAN scheme in the state. Imphal International Airport will also be expanded and Air cargo Terminal will also be functioning soon at the Imphal airport, he added. Besides airway, road and railway connectivity, information ways will also be introduced which will connect every district with the rest of the Panchayats by providing broadband connectivity. This will facilitate in direct benefit to the beneficiaries of every schemes, he mentioned.

He also announced that three new women’s markets will also be constructed in the state soon. The government will also work for the establishment of mini sports complex, infectious disease centre in Imphal and at community health centres in the state. During the last four years, around 1500 kms of National Highways (NH) has been added for North-East Region and out of which 300 kms of NH has been added for Manipur, he added.

He said he has visited the North-East about thirty times in the last four and a half years. The North East is being transformed, and projects stuck for decades are being completed, he added.

He said that the projects he inaugurated in Manipur reflect the Union government’s commitment to development. He said the Dolaithabi Barrage project had been conceived in 1987, but was speeded up only after 2014, and is now completed.

Elaborating on the more energetic and purposeful approach to project completion in the Union government, the Prime Minister explained how the PRAGATI system set up in the Prime Minister’s office enables monitoring of stalled projects through video conferencing. He said that these PRAGATI meetings have so far resolved issues related to stalled projects worth nearly 12 lakh crore rupees.

He said that work on the FCI godown in Sawombung had begun in December 2016, and it has been completed already. He gave similar illustrations for various water supply projects.

The Prime Minister said that the Union government and the Manipur government are both working with the vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. He praised the “Go to hills” and “go to villages” mission programme of the state government.

He paid homage to the freedom fighters, especially the women fighters of Manipur. He said Manipur has an important role to play in New India’s growth story.

Manipur has also been a front-runner in the field of women empowerment and Manipur has sporting icon Mary Kom. The North-East has a key role to play in making India a sports superpower, he added.

The Prime Minister recalled that undivided India’s first interim government had been established at Moirang in Manipur. He also recalled the support that the Azad Hind Fauj had received from people in the North East.