Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has urged NITI Aayog to play a decisive role in the state’s economic recovery, peace-building and long-term development, stating that development remains the most effective solution to insurgency and unrest.
He made the remarks during an interaction between NITI Aayog and Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of northeastern states held in New Delhi on Friday. Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of the Northeast as the “Growth Engine of India” and “Ashtalakshmi”, he said Manipur has faced significant economic and developmental setbacks in recent years.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for major investment in connectivity projects, including the Imphal railway link, national highway expansion, airport terminal upgrade, Imphal Ring Road and Imphal–Moreh railway project. He also proposed institutional mechanisms such as an “Act Fast Implementation Unit” and an “Act East Regional Coordination Cell” to strengthen coordination and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Khemchand Singh further highlighted the potential of Manipur to emerge as a medical tourism hub and sought support for modernising RIMS and JNIMS. He urged NITI Aayog to help develop a super-specialty healthcare framework in coordination with the Health Ministry.
He also called for special financial measures, including vulnerability gap funding and a terrain-weighted cost index, to address geographical challenges and improve fund utilisation. The Chief Minister added that strengthening Manipur’s fiscal capacity with central support is essential for sustained development.
