Imphal: To foster trade activities at the Indo-Myanmar border, the Indian government under its Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) scheme has approved Rs 6.92 crore Nambasi-Phungchong (Punomram) — Wanglee road project in Manipur’s Kamjong district bordering Myanmar’s Phayang and Tongchao villages.
Manipur Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand who conducted a spot inspection at this village recently said that Wanglee Road is one of the 56 road projects approved by the Ministry of Rural Development with a sanctioned amount of Rs 404.719 crore.
To increase connectivity and economic integration between India and Myanmar through the Kamjong district, the minister said that the state government has also approved for construction of a six km long road from Wanglee bazaar to Wanglee village en route to Myanmar villages.
Funding for this project would be taken either from the state’s Public Works Department through the Planning Department or PMGSY-III.
Local MLA Leishiyo Keishing, who accompanied the minister’s inspection told the newsmen that if the road from Imphal to Wanglee is developed as a proper highway, it would be one of the shortest roads to the Myanmar border.
At present, Imphal to Moreh Road on National Highway 102 is a short route to Myanmar with a distance of around 109 km.
Amidst the turmoil besieging border trade at Moreh, the cross-border trade on most items could be traded through Wanglee as it is now emerging as an alternative trade centre to Moreh, Leishiyo added.