Imphal Ring Road project is expected to gain momentum after the land acquisition process for the ambitious infrastructure project nears completion, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on September 7. The remaining acquisition work is limited to a portion of land at Khurai Ipum Pat in Imphal East district.
The Chief Minister made the statement while responding to a calling attention motion moved by Opposition MLA K. Meghachandra Singh during the morning session of the ongoing eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly. He said delays in land acquisition and the law-and-order situation had slowed the project.
Imphal Ring Road project faces final land hurdle
According to the Chief Minister, most of the land acquisition required for the project has been completed. However, the process at Khurai Ipum Pat remains pending. Khemchand expressed hope that completing this final stretch would allow construction work to progress more rapidly.
The government has already paid around Rs 105 crore in land compensation, while another Rs 60 crore is expected to be disbursed soon. The compensation process is a crucial part of clearing the land required for construction.
The project has faced delays over several years because of acquisition-related issues as well as disruptions linked to Manipur’s law-and-order situation. With the remaining acquisition work approaching completion, the government expects fewer obstacles to physical construction.
Tender process already completed
The Chief Minister also said the tendering process for the project had already been completed in accordance with Asian Development Bank (ADB) guidelines and approvals.
The latest status indicates that preparations for construction are considerably advanced. The state’s Public Works Department has been working on the project, while officials have also held discussions with ADB representatives on taking the project forward.
The PWD’s 2025-26 administrative report said the project was being taken up with financial assistance from the ADB to improve urban mobility in Imphal and provide quicker access to important establishments. It also said civil contracts and the construction supervision consultancy agreement had been signed, while construction had begun in areas where land was free of encumbrances.
Project designed to ease Imphal congestion
The Imphal Ring Road project is intended to provide an alternative route around the capital and reduce pressure on major roads passing through the city. The project will connect important administrative, healthcare, educational and commercial locations while improving movement between different parts of the urban area.
Official project documents put the revised aggregate road length at about 54.15 km, including sections of existing highways. The main ring road is divided into multiple packages for implementation.
The proposed alignment covers stretches connecting areas including Kiyamgei, Chairenthong, Konsam Leikai, Heingangpat, CMC Hospital, Sanhakpham Bazar, Iroisemba and the NH-102 area near the Gambhir Singh Statue. Three additional spur connections are planned towards DDK, RIMS and an FCI facility.
The project is also intended to support greater use of public transport and e-vehicles, helping improve urban mobility while addressing environmental concerns.
Investment and construction plans
The project was originally planned as an externally aided infrastructure initiative. The Public Works Department’s administrative report estimated the project cost at about US$207.5 million, or roughly Rs 1,660 crore, with a funding pattern involving central and state contributions.
The Asian Development Bank’s project documentation had estimated that around 94 hectares would be required, including 46 hectares of private land. The acquisition process was expected to affect landowners and other households along the proposed alignment, making compensation and rehabilitation an important part of implementation.
The government has already spent a significant amount from its share towards the civil works component. Khemchand said the state had spent around Rs 189 crore for the civil work component.
Government hopes work will accelerate
The completion of the remaining land acquisition at Khurai Ipum Pat could therefore become an important turning point for the Imphal Ring Road project. With tendering completed and construction already initiated in sections where land is available, clearing the final obstruction is expected to enable wider execution.
The project is significant for Imphal’s long-term transport planning. If completed as planned, the ring road could help divert traffic away from congested central areas, improve connectivity to key institutions and create smoother movement around the capital.
For the Manipur government, completing land acquisition and resolving funding and implementation issues will be crucial to maintaining momentum. The latest assurance from the Chief Minister indicates that the administration intends to push the project forward once the remaining land-related hurdle is cleared.