Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 September 2025 made his first official visit to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence two years ago. In Churachandpur, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth about ₹7,300 crore. The visit forms part of a larger ₹36,000‑crore development package aimed at reviving the region, restoring normalcy, and fostering inclusive growth.
Key Projects in Churachandpur: What’s Being Built
During the PM Modi Manipur visit Churachandpur, the Prime Minister announced several major initiatives:
- The Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage, and Asset Management Improvement Project (approx. ₹3,647 crore) to upgrade urban infrastructure in flood‑prone and damaged areas.
- The Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project (~₹550 crore) to boost digital infrastructure and job creation.
- Five new National Highway (NH) projects valued at over ₹2,500 crore, aimed at enhancing connectivity, especially in hilly and remote terrain.
- Establishing working women hostels at nine locations, super‑speciality healthcare in remote districts, and strengthening educational institutions across 16 districts.
Imphal Projects and Additional Initiatives
Aside from Churachandpur, the PM Modi Manipur visit Churachandpur also covered work in Imphal:
- Inauguration of projects valued at ~₹1,200 crore, including the New Manipur Police Headquarters (≈₹101 crore), the Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri (~₹538 crore), Ima Markets (women’s markets) in four districts, and Manipur Bhawans in Delhi and Kolkata.
- Projects also include infrastructure upgrades, public amenities, and government buildings to support governance and service delivery.
The Broader ₹36,000 Crore Package & Peace Efforts
The ₹36,000‑crore development package for the Northeast includes these key undertakings in Manipur and a broad mix of projects across Mizoram, Assam, and other states. It aims to combine infrastructure development with healing and reconciliation in ethnic‑affected areas.
During his address, PM Modi emphasized that peace is essential for development, urging warring groups—particularly in the Meitei and Kuki communities—to prioritize stability over conflict.
Why the PM Modi Manipur Visit Churachandpur Matters
Healing from Two Years of Violence
The ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki‑Zo communities cost over 260 lives and displaced tens of thousands. During the PM’s visit, he met displaced persons, assessed relief camps, and pledged government support to rebuild trust and infrastructure.
Infrastructure as a Path to Social Stability
Projects like roads, drainage, healthcare, and education aren’t just physical assets: they restore normalcy. By focusing on connectivity and public services, the government signals that development and rehabilitation go hand in hand. The PM Modi Manipur visit Churachandpur thus aims at both symbolic and substantive restoration.
People & Public Response
During his rally at Churachandpur’s Peace Ground, PM Modi was welcomed by traditional shawls, hand‑drawn portraits, and warm greetings from residents. Displaced families gathered; children and women affected by the violence engaged in conversation with him.
Critics and opposition parties have noted that this is the first time PM Modi has visited since the violence, pointing to long delays in central intervention. Some express that while projects are valuable, their timely implementation will prove the measure of this visit.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the announced projects, several challenges remain:
- Ensuring that project funds reach remote districts and are used effectively.
- Speedy execution in difficult terrain, especially in Churachandpur’s hilly areas.
- Maintaining peace among communities to allow uninterrupted progress.
What Citizens and Stakeholders Can Do
- Local communities should hold accountable local administrators to ensure timely delivery of announced projects.
- Civil society must support reconciliation efforts, fostering dialogue between Meitei and Kuki communities.
- Media and watchdogs should monitor project progress and highlight gaps, to ensure transparency.
- Beneficiaries (women, farmers, students) should engage with government programs to make good use of new facilities like hostels, markets, health centres.
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The PM Modi Manipur visit Churachandpur marks a significant turning point for a state wounded by violence. By inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects worth ₹7,300 crore and rolling out elements of a ₹36,000‑crore development package, the government seeks to restore infrastructure, rebuild trust, and ignite economic recovery.
Success will depend on peace, accountability, and sustained effort—both from the government and the people. Manipur’s future may well depend on how effectively this moment becomes lasting transformation.
