IMPHAL, Oct 22:  Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari chaired a review meeting on Monday with state representatives from the Northeast to accelerate the progress of highway infrastructure projects in the region. The meeting focused on ensuring the timely completion of national highway projects to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth in the area.

The review covered 15 national highway projects in Arunachal Pradesh spanning 423 kilometers, 38 projects in Manipur covering 808 kilometers, and 16 projects in Tripura totaling 324 kilometers. The meeting aimed to address the challenges of these projects and reinforce efforts to integrate the Northeast into the national development framework.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and top officials from both Central and state governments attended the meeting. This review followed a recent government circular encouraging the use of white-topping technology (TWT) to strengthen and rehabilitate highways. TWT, a concrete overlay on bituminous pavement, extends the road’s lifespan, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes traffic disruptions.

Officials emphasized that speeding up infrastructure development will greatly improve local connectivity and boost regional economies.

In a post on X, Chief Minister N Biren Singh thanked Nitin Gadkari for reviewing the state’s 38 national highway projects, “I am thankful for his concerns towards the ongoing 38 National Highway projects covering 808 Kilometres in Manipur and addressing the solutions for the timely completion of these vital projects, which will enhance connectivity and economic growth in the State. I further appreciate him for initiating several new projects aimed at uplifting the economy of Manipur as a crucial need for the overall development of the entire Northeast region.”