The state of Manipur, India, has begun construction of the 103.02km Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road project at Kangchup Chiru.

The project is estimated to cost Rs12.97bn ($192.8m).

Expected to be completed in three years and six months, the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road will reduce the distance between Tamenglong and Imphal by nearly 43km.

A 12.9km section of the road will run in the Imphal Valley and the remaining 90.3km will run in the hills, which will bolster connectivity between Kanchup and Tamenglong.

Manipur chief minister O Ibobi told reporters that the project is designed in a bid to improve connectivity in order to strengthen the state’s economy.

"The Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road will reduce the distance between Tamenglong and Imphal by nearly 43km."

India’s Central Government and the state of Manipur have funded the project at a ratio of 90:10 respectively.

The 90% share of the fund extended by the Central government will be provided as a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The construction work of the road will be executed by a joint venture (JV) comprising the Hindustan Construction Company and Vensar Construction Company.

The scope of the project includes construction of a 5.54km-long four-lane road running from Naoremthong to Lamsang Bridge, as well as a double-lane stretch extending for 7.35km between Lamsang Bridge and Kangchup foothills.

The 7.35km road will be 10m-wide and include paved shoulders. The remaining stretch will be a dual-lane road.

The Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road will also feature six large and nine small bridges.