DEVELOPMENT IN HILL AREAS IS TOP PRIORITY: CM; CM PERFORMS LEISAA LATPA (BHOOMI PUJA) FOR BARAK AND MAKRU BRIDGE

Imphal, October 12, 2107 (DIPR): Chief Minister said that the first and foremost priority of the new government is to bring development in the hill areas of the State and without the progress in the hill districts, there would be no inclusive development in the State. This was stated by him today at the Leisaa Latpa (Bhoomi Puja) for the construction of Barak and Makru Bridge on the NH-37 held near Barak Bridge, Tamenglong.

On the occasion, Chief Minister said that the construction of the Barak and Makru Bridge will definitely improve the flow of traffic in the Imphal-Jiri Road. Apart from the construction of Barak and Makru Bridge, the government would be preparing a Detailed Project Report within 6 months for the construction of Irang Bridge, he added. He said that he would be visiting Tamenglong district on 24th October of this month and would be announcing some developmental programmes for the district. During his visit to the district, he said that he would announce a 35crore water supply scheme to provide potable water supply to the people of the district.

Mentioning the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s initiative of ‘Saab ka Sath Saab ka Vikas’, he stated that the objective of the new government is to render human service for the welfare of the people of the State. He further said that new medical insurance schemes to provide better healthcare to the poor and BPL families of the State would be announce soon. The scheme would provide free medical treatment to BPL/poor families. Under this scheme, the beneficiaries will be entitled to medical treatment coverage up to Rs. 2 lakhs per family per year.

Chief Minister said that the State Government is planning to launch a special scheme for differently-abled persons of the State. Under the new scheme, skilled differently-abled persons would be given soft loans to help start their own business, he said while adding that the scheme would also have a provision to provide monthly pension to fully disabled persons. The said scheme would be implemented from 3rd December,2017 on the occasion of ‘International Day of People with Disability’.

Seeking the love and support of the people, Chief Minister said that without the support of the people and government, the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) would not be able to complete the project under the stipulated time. He mentioned that the government has kept its door open 24X7 and everyone is invited for to knock the door so that the issues/grievances of the people could be solved as soon as possible. He further said that the purpose of the today’s visit was not just for Bhoomi Pujah of the two bridges but also to observe how the people of the living in hill areas of the State. The NHIDCL has committed to complete the construction of these bridges by December,2017. The government would try its best to improve the living conditions of the people of such areas, he added. He showed his discontent on why no such steps were taken for the construction of RCC Bridge of Barak and Makru for such a long time by previous governments.

During his maiden visit to Barak, Tamenglong, large number of people warmly welcomes and felicitated Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, Council of Ministers and MLAs at various places such as Tupul, Noney, Khongshang, Nungba, Rengpang, Kambiron etc. Chief Minister also inspected the construction and progress of Jiri-Tupul-Imphal Railway line at Noney.  He also inspected and reviewed the progress of the world’s tallest girder rail bridge located at Noney.

Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director of NHIDCL Shri Ajay Ahluwalia informed that He said that the total estimated cost for the construction of Barak and Makru Bridge is 110 crores.  He further said that NHIDCL act as an instrument for infrastructure development to improve road connectivity and efficiency of the international trade corridor to enable efficient and safe transport. The company is working for the road construction of 1500km in Manipur, he added. In the first phase, the company would be engaging in the repair and restoring of various roads of the State.

The Barak and Makru Bridge would be having a 154 meter span and 122 meter span respectively on the Jiribam-Barak Road (NH-37) and will be constructed by Bharatia Infra Project Limited.

Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Y.Joykumar Singh, Minister for Agriculture Shri V. Hangkhalian, Minister for Forest Shri Th. Shyamkumar, Minister for PHED Shri Losii Dikho, Minister for YAS Shri Letpao Haokip, MP (Rajya Sabha) Shri K. Bhabananda Singh, MLAs and top civil and police officials attended the function. (DIPR)