The 15th Finance commission, Government of India, recommended a performance-based viability gap fund for incubation of new cities in various states. For this Challenge Fund the Government of Manipur submitted a proposal for a Gateway City at Yaithibhi, Imphal, in 2023.

Manipur occupies a unique geographical and geopolitical position, located within a valley and sharing an international border with South East Asian countries, providing a strategic connection to the ASEAN region and its markets. The proposed Gateway City was envisioned as a catalyst for cross-border trade and economic development for both Manipur and India. The Master Plan was structured around an Integrated Blue and Green Infrastructure that conceptually connecting Hills and Valley through a Central Park. It supports economic potential through multi-modal transport integration, including public transport and shared mobility systems, while responding to valley’s existing drainage patterns.