Manipur Economy Faces Decade Setback Amid Infrastructure Crisis

Ram Muivah, a legislator from the Naga People’s Front and an ally of the BJP, warns that Manipur’s economy has regressed by ten years. Speaking on the current state of the hill districts, he highlights a total lack of new investment and the deteriorating condition of vital roadways. The economic slump stems from prolonged instability that has discouraged both domestic and foreign investors from committing capital to the region, effectively halting developmental progress across multiple sectors.

Poor connectivity remains the primary hurdle for the state’s recovery. Repeated blockades on key national highways have crippled essential supply chains and delayed critical development projects. These disruptions have caused widespread hardship for the general population, leading to inflated prices for basic goods and a lack of access to markets for local producers. Without reliable road networks, the hill districts remain isolated from broader economic activities, deepening the developmental divide across different regions.

Amidst these economic challenges, political friction is rising over the scheduled national census. A. Bimol Akoijam, the Member of Parliament for Inner Manipur, has formally requested a postponement of the exercise within the state. He argues that the large-scale displacement of residents caused by recent conflicts would make a census inaccurate and unjust. Conducting the count under current conditions would fail to capture the true demographic reality, potentially affecting future resource allocation and political representation.