Imphal, Jan 29 (Reporter) Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday laid foundation stone of Imphal Ring Road Project at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai located in Imphal West. The project which will cost around Rs 1,766 crore will be taken up with the financial assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB). He said that the State Government had been taking up many developmental projects which would improve the living standard of the people and added that leaders should always work for the welfare of the people at grassroots. Stating on the various projects taken up in the State, the Chief Minister informed that the Lamphelpat Waterbody Rejuvenation Project had been taken up with an estimated cost of around Rs. 650 crores. The project includes 300 acres of water body area and around 140 acres for recreation centre, he added. Singh informed on the plan of the Government to connect the recreation centre and the Imphal View Tower at Cheirao Ching through cable car. He expressed satisfaction, stating those migratory birds, which were seen earlier, could be seen these days at Lamphelpat after around 109 years. The CM also mentioned the initiatives taken up by the Government to clean the Nambul river and transportation of household waste through pipelines to the Sewerage treatment plant. He further raised concern on the environmental degradation through mass deforestation of forest areas and the water scarcity problem which the State could face in future, mentioning the necessity of preserving water bodies. Mentioning the newly launched scheme “Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama”, Singh announced to develop the ground at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai. He also informed that Oriental College, at Patsoi Assembly Constituency, would be developed with a project costing Rs. 6.40 crores. Apart from this, the college will be covered under the College Fagathansi Mission, to improve its infrastructure with an amount of Rs. 2.5 crore under the scheme, Singh said. Further stating on the development plans to be taken up in Patsoi AC, the Chief Minister said that road development work would be taken up with an estimated cost of Rs. 7.2 crore from the State Budget. Singh stated that Manipur has been passing through a rough phase and everyone is bearing the hardship. Assuring that the Government would protect the State from those vested interest groups who want to disintegrate its unity, he stressed the need for unity among people of the State and sought their support and cooperation. Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam said to solve congestion in Imphal areas and the pollution associated with it, the plan for Imphal Ring Road Project was started in 2015-16, however the project was approved in 2020. He said that the total distance of the ring road project is 51.23 km. The most interesting part of the project is that it includes a noise pollution control mechanism, which is first of its kind in India and it will be an environmentally friendly road, Konthoujam added. The Minister informed that 9.5 km of the road would be of 4 lanes, while 41.5 km would be of 2 lanes with paved shoulders. The road includes an 18 km stretch of green field with solar lamp, footpath and cycle lane...////...