Imphal, February 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Manipur would be the gateway of East Asian countries for which the railway connectivity is being extended in there. The PM said that Manipur will be linked with Myanmar and Thailand through easy connectivity between India and East Asian countries, boosting trade and tourism.
"The days are not far away when Manipur capital would be linked by the broad gauge railway network. Currently, 40 National Highway projects are also being implemented in Manipur," Modi said while addressing an election rally in Imphal.
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Anshul Gupta said that a final location survey of the 111 km Imphal-Moreh section was started for construction of a new broad gauge railway line aiming to link India with neighbouring Myanmar.
Referring to Indian boxing legend M.C. Mary Kom and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, the PM said that the central govt had already initiated the process to set up India's first Sports University in Manipur. "The BJP government has already created a unique sports culture in the state and Manipur would be one of the country's sports hubs," he said.
Announcing that the Centre and the state govt have been vigorously supporting the MSME sectors, the Prime Minister said that the central government had also launched the National Palm oil cultivation mission and it would help the farmers of Manipur to a large extent.
Stating that BJP has undertaken schemes to empower the women in Manipur, Modi said that 'Ima Keithal' are being set up in 7 more districts here. The century-old and world's largest all-women run market 'Ima Keithal' or 'Mother's Market', located in Manipur capital Imphal and other smaller all-women markets functioning in different parts of Manipur, boost the Manipur economy to a large extent and a great source of livelihood of thousands of women.
"BJP govt in Manipur has turned the impossible into possibility. There was time that common people would not be able to reach government offices, but Biren Singh (Chief Minister) has turned his government as the people's government and taken the government services to the doorsteps of the People. Over 1.75 lakhs people have been linked with electricity lines and the BJP government has given 1.5 lakh free gas connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana," said the PM.