Undeterred by the ethnic unrest Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday visited Ukhrul amid tight security, held a Cabinet meeting and inaugurated 18 projects while laying foundation stone for a host of new projects.

The chief minister landed in Ukhrul Wednesday morning and was accorded a warm welcome by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah and the district administration at the helipad.  

Altogether nine cabinet ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, top ranking government officers attended the public function at the Ukhrul Mini Secretariat.

Prior to the public meeting, a cabinet meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner's Conference Hall where a total of 17 agendas were discussed. Two ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen were absent.

The chief minister and his council of ministers were given a rousing welcome at the District Mini Secretariat by the Tangkhul civil society organisations (CSOs) and Ukhrul district administration, government officials and members of the public.

Post the cabinet meeting, CM Biren Singh inaugurated 18 completed projects and laid foundation stone for upcoming 22 other projects for the district with a total cost of Rs 64.38 crore.

Addressing the public, Chief Minister Biren Singh announced scores of initiatives aimed at addressing the major issues facing the district particularly water scarcity and roadways.

Underscoring the water scarcity in the town, which is a major issue, CM Biren stressed that the state government gave top priority to the issue.

He informed that a survey was conducted to oversee the water scarcity issue in the town and following which a new "Water Augmentation Project' worth Rs 6 crore have been approved for prompt implementation of the same.

To redress the water scarcity issue in the long run, the CM further proposed the construction of a dam at Shirui Hills at an estimated cost of more than Rs 200 crore.

Stressing that the government's next priority for the district is roads, he assured that his government is committed to provide a four-lane highway along Imphal-Ukhrul route, especially National Highway-202.

The chief minister also announced that the cabinet has approved for reviving of the long awaited Paoyi Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC) office and also for the construction of Talui Police Station.

He further apprised that the State government had approved a budget for blacktopping of Ukhrul town roadways as well as opening of a Nursing College and a Drug Rehabilitation Centre worth Rs 5 crore and a cold storage facility worth Rs 2.5 crore.

In addition to these, CM Biren also assured that the state government would "accord priority to the proposal for declaring Ukhrul as the Summer Capital" of the state.

Recognising that there is space constraint in Ukhrul town, he urged the people to look for another location for development of a new township.

The CM was accompanied by his council of ministers including Power and Forests & Climate Change Minister Th Biswajit; MAHUD and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister Y Khemchand; Works and Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Govindas  Konthoujam; Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai; Health and Information Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan; Education and Law Minister Thounaojam Basanta Singh; PHED and CAFPD Minister Leishangthem Susindro; Social Welfare and Fisheries Minister H Dingo Singh and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Khashim Vashum.

At the concluding part of his visit, Biren Singh also visited Hungpung village where he laid the foundation stone for construction of a heritage site "Hao Heritage Centre" at the village.

Acknowledging the immense role played by the CSOs to make Manipur a drug-free state, Biren thanked the civil society leaders and the chief's association for spearheading the "War on Drugs" campaign in the forefront.

Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah delivered the welcome address, while Minister Khashim Vashum proposed the vote of thanks.