The new road would shorten the 120 km distance by the National Highway 39 between Imphal and Moreh by about 15 to 20 km, Singh said, inaugurating a sub-divisional office-cum-block development office at Moreh yesterday.
Singh said the work was being carried out from Heirok in Thoubal district to Khudengtabi, near Moreh in Chandel district.
With the Centre's ambitious Look East policy, the region particularly Moreh town had become the gateway to South East Asia and there was a need to develop the town in all respects, he said.
Funds under the prime minister special package were being used for the construction.
A detailed project drawn up by the state government has been sent to the Centre for funding construction of roads and infrastructure in the border town, the minister said, adding many offices have come in the border town to facilitate trade with South East Asian countries.