In News
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur.
- The project will improve connectivity between Imphal with the eastern part of the state.
- Project is being developed with ADB’s loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program.
- It aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) in order 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.
- Trade, commerce and tourism in the region will get a boost.
Need for development in Manipur
- Manipur being a landlocked state with almost 90% of the area under difficult terrain
- It has only road transport as a means of mass transport system within the state.
- Development of the road infrastructure is of paramount importance to improve connectivity and progress of the State and to ensure that the administrative set up reaches the isolated and remote habitats.
South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)
- SASEC brings Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri -Lanka in a project-based partnership to promote regional prosperity by improving cross-border connectivity, boosting trade among member countries, and strengthening regional economic cooperation.
- Program set up in 2001, SASEC countries have implemented 46 regional projects worth over $9 billion in the energy, transport, trade facilitation, economic corridor development, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.
- The Manila, Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves as the Secretariat for the SASEC member countries.
Source : Pib
GS III : Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc