Manipur to get 400 KW power project soon

The estimated cost of project pegged at Rs 124 cr

The Northeastern state of Manipur will soon get a 400 KW power project at an estimated cost of Rs 124 crore. This was announced by Union minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh, after having a meeting with the state's chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh in Imphal, the state capital, today.

Singh, the Union minister, said that though proposed earlier, the power project got delayed due to certain reasons; however it would now be implemented as "only few technical formalities are pending". Singh asked the chief minister to depute an officer from the state as also the Delhi-based resident commissioner of Manipur to do the follow up with the DoNER ministry so that the work could be started at the earliest. Singh further said that with the installation of project and release of 400 KW transmission line, Manipur would receive uninterrupted power supply for at least 18 hours on an average, even in remotest areas.

"This will also be a positive step in the direction of achieving the objective of government of India's recently launched 'Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana' targeting 24 hour power supply to every household," said the Union minister.

The DoNER minister also informed that work on the National Sports University for Manipur, announced by the Prime Minister during his visit in November, would start soon. He said that he had been informed by Manipur chief minister that the state government had acquired 300 acres of land for the purpose at village Yathivi around 25 km from Imphal. Singh suggested the chief minister to pursue with the Union sports ministry to send a team of officials for taking over the land.

"This University will not only be unique and first of its kind in India, but will also be a tribute to the consistent and glorious contribution made by Manipuri youth in International Olympics," said Singh.

The state's chief minister has taken up the matter of upgrade of Imphal Airport with the Union minister. He also demanded the Centre to provide facility for night hangers at the airport.

Several other issues, including upgrade of Silchar-Imphal highway and improvement in the telecom network, were also taken up by the chief minister during the meeting with the Union minister. Singh said the DoNER ministry would take up with the issues raised by the chief minister with concerned departments in Delhi.