Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, conducted a four-day visit to Manipur from two to five September to review development projects and schemes. He chaired a high-level review meeting at the main conference hall of the Civil Secretariat in Mantripukhri, Imphal, attended by senior state officers. The visit combined policy review with on-site inspections across Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur districts.

The meeting examined the progress of projects funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and the North Eastern Council, alongside sectoral initiatives such as the Oil Palm Mission and Industry four point zero measures in manufacturing. It covered efforts to strengthen logistics and delivery across forest, health, transport, commerce and industries, and handloom and textiles sectors. Investment initiatives and High-Level Task Force priorities in agriculture, horticulture and soil conservation, fisheries, tourism, youth affairs and veterinary and animal husbandry were also reviewed.

Katikithala inspected ongoing infrastructure projects funded under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme across the three districts. He viewed the processing zone development for the Manipur IT special economic zone at Mantripukhri being implemented at a cost of Rs one point two billion (bn). He also reviewed infrastructure works around the Polo Ground at Ibudhou Marjing in Imphal East at Rs 304 million (mn), the upgrading of the 18.50-km road from NH?202 at Lamlai to Thoubal Dam at Rs 488.7 million (mn), and the construction of a Hill Tribal Chief Guest House at the Palace Compound at Rs 65 million (mn).

In Bishnupur district he inspected the improvement project for the six point three eight-km road from Bishnupur Chingdong to Khuman via Prengba village and Loukoipat costing Rs 110.1 million (mn) under the NESIDS roads programme. The Secretary held discussions with the state governor, the chief minister and the chief secretary to align project delivery with state development priorities. A press release from the Planning Department confirmed the Government of India’s continued commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and socio-economic progress in Manipur.