Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said a cross-border road under the ambitious Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) will link south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district with Myanmar’s Sittwe port and the initiative will be completed by November this year. This cross-border road costs Rs 1,132 crore.
What is KMTTP?
The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) is a joint initiative by India and Myanmar. The project, costing US$484 million, aims to create a multi-modal mode of transport for shipping cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar, as well as to the North-Eastern part of India through Myanmar.
Gadkari has earlier emphasized the importance of infrastructure and communication for overall development, stating that good infrastructure attracts investment in industry and agriculture, leading to job creation and poverty eradication. The Union Minister also mentioned a Rs 20,000-crore road project that will connect Mizoram with Nagaland, Manipur, and the Myanmar international boundary.
Northeast Infra Development – Upcoming Projects
Gadkari has also announced a 373-km road project between Aizawl and Tuipang in southern Mizoram which is to be completed by June next year. This Rs 7,361-crore project will connect six districts of Mizoram and link Myanmar, fostering economic growth, trade, and employment opportunities.
To alleviate traffic congestion in the state capital, a bypass road for Aizawl will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore. This project includes a length of 35 km and a 2.5 km tunnel and is slated for completion by December 2025.
Gadkari also addressed the delay in the construction of the four-lane Silchar to Vairengte-Sairang road (NH-306), attributing it to the state government’s failure to provide land due to issues between the revenue and forest departments.
(With inputs from PTI)