Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh meets Gadkari, pushes Imphal highway projects

Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called on Union Road Transport and Highways minister, Nitin Gadkari at his official residence here and briefed him on the steps taken up by the State Government to resolve the long pending issues concerning Imphal-Jiribam highway and Imphal-Dimapur highway.

Singh also requested Gadkari for an early sanction of the Elevated Highway project. The union minister for Road Transport and Highways gave a positive response to the request of the State Government.

In regard to the National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road), the Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that land compensation in Noney district has been approved by the State Cabinet after a revised survey and that the works have started.


On the Imphal-Dimapur highway, Singh told the Union Minister that the matters of Kangpokpi district have been resolved, and a special package was approved by the State Cabinet. The Chief Minister informed Gadkari that land issues persist for the Imphal-Ukhrul-Jessami highway and the State Government is engaging with the stakeholders for early resolution.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India and the Government of Manipur for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of pride for him to be part of the MoU signing ceremony. He noted that Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 represents a strategic restructuring of the national rural drinking water programme. Its main focus has shifted from quick creation of infrastructure to ensuring long-term and sustainable service delivery.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the key features of JJM 2.0 include assured service delivery, the Sujalam Bharat digital framework, clear operation and maintenance (O&M) policies, measures for source sustainability, reform-linked funding and community ownership.

These features, he said, will make the mission not just a government scheme but a way to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Khemchand Singh praised the Ministry of Jal Shakti for its efforts in preparing the guidelines of the mission.

Reaffirming the State Government’s commitment, the Chief Minister assured full support for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 in Manipur. He said the State Government would work to achieve the objectives of the mission in both letter and spirit, he added.