A New Skyline for Imphal: ₹3,692-Crore Elevated Corridor Set to Transform Manipur’s Capital

MANIPUR

Source: Waari Singbul Network| Nepram Tombi Meitei

6/27/20264 min read

Imphal: Amid years of challenges and uncertainty, Manipur is poised to witness one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure projects in its history—a 25-kilometre-long elevated corridor that promises to reshape the skyline of Imphal and redefine mobility across the state’s capital.

Image:Elevated Highways construction in progress

In a major boost for the state’s development aspirations, the proposed Imphal Elevated Corridor project has moved a significant step closer to reality, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) transferring the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for further action and implementation.

According to NHIDCL Deputy General Manager (Manipur), Rafique Ahmad Choudhury, the DPR is likely to receive approval before the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for March–April 2027. Choudhury said several rounds of video conference meetings have already been held between officials of MoRTH, NHIDCL and the Nagpur-based consultancy firm, M/s K&J Projects Private Limited, to carry out the technical appraisal of the project.

Estimated to cost ₹3,691.81 crore, the four-lane elevated corridor is expected to become the largest urban road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Manipur. More than just a flyover, it represents a long-term investment in the future of Imphal—a city that has witnessed rapid growth in population, commerce and vehicle numbers over the past two decades.

The project was first proposed by the State Public Works Department (PWD) in early 2020 to ease mounting traffic congestion along the National Highways passing through the heart of the city. After the Centre sanctioned consultancy services in 2021, the DPR was prepared by the consultant and submitted to the Ministry in November 2022, a senior PWD official said.

Image: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highway

Once implemented, the elevated corridor, with a vertical clearance of 5.5 metres, will stretch from Koirengei Junction along the existing alignment of NH-02 before bifurcating near Raj Bhavan Rotary. One arm will extend towards Manipur University along NH-102, while the other will proceed towards Imphal International Airport along NH-02. An additional two-lane flyover will connect CM Traffic Rotary to the City Convention Centre, creating a seamless urban transport network.

Urban planners believe the corridor could fundamentally change how people experience the city. What often takes commuters an hour or more during peak traffic could be reduced significantly, improving connectivity between educational institutions, government offices, commercial centres and the airport.

Beyond convenience, the project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits. Faster movement of goods and people, lower fuel consumption, reduced vehicle operating costs and improved logistics efficiency could enhance Imphal’s attractiveness as a commercial hub for the wider region.

For ordinary citizens, the benefits may be felt in everyday life—shorter commutes, safer roads, less time spent in traffic and greater ease in accessing workplaces, markets and essential services.

The elevated corridor also carries symbolic significance. At a time when Manipur has endured prolonged social and political turmoil, large-scale infrastructure investments signal confidence in the state’s future. They reflect a commitment to long-term development and create opportunities for employment, economic activity and urban modernization.

Image: Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh pitched to Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways for the early sanction of the proposed 4-lane Elevated Highway Project in June

Infrastructure experts point out that elevated transport corridors have transformed the urban landscape of several Indian cities by easing congestion and improving connectivity. Guwahati, for instance, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade and is now widely regarded as a "city of flyovers" owing to its extensive network of elevated roads. With the proposed 25-kilometre elevated corridor, Imphal appears poised to embark on a similar journey, ushering in a new era of urban mobility and creating infrastructure that could serve the city for generations.

The corridor is also expected to contribute to a cleaner urban environment. Smoother traffic flow generally leads to lower emissions from idling vehicles and reduced fuel wastage, helping improve the overall quality of urban life.

Image: Nitin Gadkari greeted by former Chief Minister N Biren Singh during his Manipur visit in February 2022

Image: Key Plan of the Manipur Elevated Corridor Project

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had first assured the people of Manipur of the Imphal Elevated Corridor during his visit to the state in 2022. The project subsequently emerged as one of the flagship components of the nearly ₹15,000 crore National Highway development package announced for Manipur. More recently, during a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh in June 2026, Gadkari reportedly reiterated his commitment to securing the project's early sanction, further reinforcing the Centre's resolve to fast-track this landmark urban infrastructure initiative.

As the final approval process advances, anticipation is steadily building among residents. If sanctioned and executed as planned, the Imphal Elevated Corridor will not merely connect roads—it will connect aspirations.

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