Silchar, Nov. 27: The Mizoram government has started executing a major project, worth Rs 350 crore and funded by the World Bank as a soft loan, to renovate and repair a total of 773 km of roads in nine identified sections of the state.

A government official said the first phase of the Mizoram State Roads Project (MSRP) would cover National Highway 54 and maintenance of the Damdiai-Sialsuk, Kawlkulh-Ngopa-Tuivai, Khawzawl-Biate-North Vanlaiphai and Lungsen-Chawngte roads.

The new alignment of the Aizawl-Thenzawl-Lunglei highway will now cover a distance of 171 km, thus shortening the National Highway 54 between Aizawl and the south Mizoram town of Lunglei by 66 km.

“Mizoram is the only state in the Northeast and one of the 11 special category states in the country to avail of this World Bank-funded project,” PWD minister R. Tlanghmingthanga said.

In the second phase, the long-delayed Aizawl bypass project and the maintenance of five other roads, including Thuampui-Selesih and Sherchip-Thenzawl-Thenhlum, will be undertaken. The total project is expected to be completed in three years.

Khonglam plea to scientists: Meghalaya chief minister F.A. Khonglam today asked the scientists and academicians of the Northeast to share their knowledge in biodiversity with the villagers.

Inaugurating a regional seminar on “Biodiversity in the Northeast”, Khonglam said though the region was underdeveloped, it was rich in natural resources like medicinal plants, which the villagers used to cure various ailments.