Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for nine infrastructure projects valued at Rs 2,957 crore and inaugurated 13 developmental projects worth Rs 1,858 crore in Manipur. The projects involve urban development, road infrastructure, health, drinking water supply, housing, Information Technology, skill development and art and culture, as per the officials. Modi told the media that the Barak Bridge constructed along National Highway-37 would render better connectivity. The bridge, constructed for Rs 75 crore, is ready to relieve traffic movement between Manipur capital Imphal and Assam's Silchar. Modi laid the foundation stones for five national highway projects to be developed for more than Rs 1700 crore. Three of the projects inaugurated will render drinking water to Tamenglong, Imphal and Senapati districts. Modi told the media that safe and clean drinking water would be provided to the people via these projects. Also, three projects under the Imphal Smart Mission were inaugurated. The projects incorporated the Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC), which will facilitate traffic and solid waste management in the state capital. The other two projects include the development of the riverfront on Imphal river and Mall road at Thangal market. Modi additionally dedicated 2387 mobile towers constructed for Rs 1100 crore to the people of Manipur. To face the difficulties of Covid-19, a 200-bedded semi-permanent hospital at Kiyamgei in Imphal constructed in collaboration with the DRDO at Rs 37 crore was inaugurated. The PM additionally laid the foundation stone for a 150-bedded cancer hospital to be constructed on a PPP basis worth Rs 160 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences. To encourage the handloom sector and aid the weaver community, Modi laid the foundation stone for a mega handloom cluster to be developed at Nongpok Sekmai in Imphal East district. A craft handloom village will be constructed at Moirang in the Bishnupur district. Modi laid the foundation stone for the Centre of Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) that will be constructed for Rs 200 crore. The project, which is the largest PPP endeavour taken in the state, will enhance the Information Technology sector. He also laid the foundation stone for the Manipur Institute of Performing Arts to be constructed at Gurugram. Modi additionally spoke admiringly of the Jiribam-Imphal-Tupul railway line, which is being constructed for Rs 13,809 crore and would include the world's tallest pier bridge of 141 m. The project is to be achieved in March. Image Source