Excelsior Correspondent
IMPHAL, May 29: On the last day of his three-day tour of Northeast, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh held a detailed meeting with Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh and senior officers of the State administration following which he announced that Manipur will soon get a 400 KW power project at an estimated cost of Rs.124 crore.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the project had got delayed due to certain reasons but now, only a few technical formalities are pending and he has requested 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 at New Delhi so that the work can be started at the earliest.
With the installation of project and release of 400 KW transmission line, he said, the State of Manipur will 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.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that work on the National Sports University for Manipur announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit in November will start soon. He said, he has been informed by the Chief Minister that the State Government has acquired 300 acres of land for the purpose at village Yathivi about 25 km from Imphal and, therefore, accordingly he has suggested to 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, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Chief Minister has also pointed out the need to upgrade the Imphal Airport and provide facility for night hangers. Several other issues also came up at the meeting which included upgradation of Silchar-Imphal road Highway and improvement in the telecom network which, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the DoNER Ministry will try to take up with the concerned Departments.
Before leaving for airport on his way back to Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh visited the State BJP Headquarters where he addressed the party karyakartas and later also held a meeting with the State party office-bearers.