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 Rs 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.
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.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.
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.
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 Rs 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.