Gadkari assures Manipur CM of Centre's support for NH-2, NH-37 and Imphal elevated highway
Synopsis
Manipur's two national highway lifelines — NH-37 and NH-2 — were at the centre of a high-level New Delhi meeting on 8 October, as Chief Minister Khemchand Singh sought urgent completion of stalled projects and a new elevated highway for Imphal. Union Minister Gadkari's assurances, backed by separate meetings with Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, signal renewed Centre-state engagement on Manipur's connectivity crisis.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 8 October 2026 that all state infrastructure projects will be addressed.
The CM urged the start of construction on the Shangshak-Tengnoupal Highway and sanction of an elevated highway in Imphal city .
Completion of works on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) and NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati) was requested within the current working season.
Gadkari confirmed the Imphal elevated highway is under active consideration by the Ministry.
The CM also met Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , both of whom indicated they would visit Manipur soon .
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, 8 October 2026, assured Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh that all infrastructure projects and issues raised by the state government would be addressed, including the development of two critical National Highways and a proposed elevated highway in Imphal. The assurance came during a meeting at Gadkari's official residence in New Delhi.
Key Demands Raised by Manipur CM
According to a senior official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Imphal, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh urged Gadkari to commence construction on the Shangshak-Tengnoupal Highway and formally sanction the proposed elevated highway project within Imphal city. The Chief Minister also pressed for completion of ongoing works on National Highway-37 (NH-37) and National Highway-2 (NH-2) during the current working season, citing the hardships faced by residents due to disrupted connectivity.
Why These Highways Matter to Manipur
The Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway (NH-2) are the two principal arteries linking Manipur to the rest of India. Disruptions or delays on either route have historically led to severe supply shortages in the landlocked state, affecting fuel, essential goods, and medical supplies. Any acceleration of work on these corridors carries direct humanitarian and economic significance for the region's population.
What the Centre Said
Gadkari told Chief Minister Khemchand Singh that the proposed elevated highway in Imphal is under active consideration of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He assured that all projects and issues raised by the state government will be duly addressed, and that the Ministry will extend all possible support to Manipur for road connectivity and overall development.
Meetings with Shah and Mandaviya
Separately on Thursday, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh also held meetings in New Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, discussing a range of state-level issues. Both ministers reportedly told the Chief Minister that they would visit Manipur soon. This comes amid a broader pattern of the Manipur government intensifying outreach to the Centre as it navigates ongoing developmental and security challenges in the state.
Point of View
From highways to home affairs and sports infrastructure. The repeated focus on NH-37 and NH-2 completion 'this working season' reflects a real urgency, as delays on these arteries have historically triggered supply crises in the valley. Whether Gadkari's 'active consideration' on the Imphal elevated highway translates into a formal sanction before the next state election cycle will be the real measure of this outreach.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Khemchand Singh ask Nitin Gadkari for?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged Gadkari to begin construction on the Shangshak-Tengnoupal Highway, sanction the proposed elevated highway in Imphal city, and ensure completion of works on NH-37 and NH-2 during the current working season. The requests were made during a meeting at Gadkari's official residence in New Delhi on 8 October 2026.
Why are NH-37 and NH-2 critical for Manipur?
NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) and NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati) are the two principal road links connecting landlocked Manipur to the rest of India. Disruptions on either highway have historically caused acute shortages of fuel, essential goods, and medical supplies in the state.
What is the status of the elevated highway project in Imphal?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told Chief Minister Khemchand Singh that the proposed elevated highway in Imphal is currently under active consideration by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. No formal sanction has been announced yet.
Did the Manipur CM meet any other Union Ministers during his New Delhi visit?
Yes. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh separately met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on the same day to discuss various state issues. Both ministers reportedly told the Chief Minister that they would visit Manipur soon.
What did Gadkari assure regarding Manipur's infrastructure?
Gadkari assured Chief Minister Khemchand Singh that all projects and issues raised by the Manipur government would be duly addressed and that his Ministry would extend all possible assistance for road connectivity and the state's overall development.
