Restoration work smudges Kangla’s original look

Imphal, July 05 2017: The ongoing work of restoring Kangla has been ironically obliterating its original features, structures and appearance . On the other hand, the area covered by Kangla Fort has shrunk considerably . Notably, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh handed over Kangla Fort to the State Government on November 20, 2004 after […]

Imphal, July 05 2017: The ongoing work of restoring Kangla has been ironically obliterating its original features, structures and appearance . On the other hand, the area covered by Kangla Fort has shrunk considerably . Notably, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh handed over Kangla Fort to the State Government on November 20, 2004 after […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2017/07/restoration-work-smudges-kanglas-original-look/

Chief Minister re-opens ‘Sanjenthong’ main link of Imphal East and West

IMPHAL, November 18: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated the much awaited Sanjenthong during a solemn function. Speaking of the new bridge, the Chief Minister said it does not

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Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam posing for the lens after the inaugural of the Sanjenthong. Photo -IFP

IMPHAL, November 18: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated the much awaited Sanjenthong during a solemn function.

Speaking of the new bridge, the Chief Minister said it does not have a foot support inside the river and as such it will not disturb the water flow like other bridges.

Lauding the engineers involved, the Chief Minister said he consider the bridge to be more economically viable with a modern touch.

He continued as it is election time, the government had to take permission of the Election Commission of India for the bridge inaugural.

At the initial stage of its construction, the government had targetted an early completion before the Sangai festival, although in general construction of such bridge takes at least two years.

The construction of the bridge was started on June 7, 2014 by M/s Simplex Project Ltd Kolkata with a stipulated June 6, 2015 completion.

Due to lack of resources and financial constraint, so much time has been wasted although the proposal to construct a new Sanjenthong was made way back in 2010-11, the Chief Minister said.

On the old bridge, he said during dismantling of the bridge, its date of construction was found inscribed on the foot of bridge and.

The bridge, he said was found to be around 50 years old.

He further expressed that the two lane bridge had become old, congested and had even started to shake whenever heavy vehicles were plying on it.

All these made it very important to upgrade the bridge, the Chief Minister said.

Considering the requirement of a new bridge which is four lane in place of the old two-lane bridge, the Government of Manipur sent a proposal to the ministry of DoNER in the year 2013-14 to consider construction of the bridge under NLCPR, following which the Ministry of DoNER earmarked Rs 10 lakh under the NLCPR, he said.

However recognising the importance of constructing a bridge having high aesthetic value, in view of the location of the bridge site, no DPR was submitted to MDoNER, as the earmarked amount was insufficient to construct the desired bridge, the Chief Minister informed.

Again the Government of Manipur sent a proposal to MDoNER in the year 2014-15 to earmark a sum of Rs 37 Crore for the bridge as priority number one among the proposals from the State government, he said.

While awaiting the approval of the DoNER, the State Government discuss in length the urgent requirement of the bridge and the time which DoNER usually takes while sanctioning a bridge project, the State Government felt it more prudent to take up the bridge from the State budget therefore accorded an administrative approval for Rs 31.313 crore on March 3, 2014.

Although we faced several objections including demands for a diversion bridge, with a strong determination we started the work, he said.

We tried to construct a suspension bridge near the DC Office at Babupara but faced much opposition including sit-ins from the people of Mahabali area and the idea had to be dropped, the Chief Minister continued.

Observing that there is a bridge after about every half a kilometre on both sides of the Sanjenthong, he said people were still dissatisfied as we are all used to easy accessibility.

A recent economic survey published in the local dailies had even claimed that the people had to waste around Rs 35 crores as due to the construction of the bridge, people had to take a longer route which is just about half a kilometre from Sanjenthong, he observed in a mocking tone.

The Chief Minister continued in the same tone “It is indeed a good assessment and I take the report to be good advice, as without it the people would have wasted lots of money.”

On a more serious tone, the Chief Minister asked those people involved in the survey to conduct a survey of the losses incurred during the indefinite economic blockades and bandhs which at times go on for two-three months.

This would be better for the public, he said receiving applause from the gathering.

“For the earlier survey, I would like to give away atleast a “shawl” as a reward to those involved,” he continued.

“We have always tried to complete any work at the earliest however there are “unseen” or unpredictable problems like the rain that hamper work progress.”

This time also we wanted to do a renovation of the Kangla outer moat properly thinking that it needs renovation. We approach the Tourism Ministry for a project as soon as they sanction the fund we started the work but unluckily rain started as unexpected and delayed the work progress.

Thinking it can be completed well before Sangai festival the work started however half a month time was wasted due to rain or else it would been completed well before Sangai festival.

Dy CM Gaikhangam, Works Minister and other Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and other government officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/chief-minister-reopens-sanjenthong-main-link-of-imphal-east-and-west/

Construction work at Sanjenthong running far behind schedule

IMPHAL, October 16: Even though construction of the Sanjenthong is running far behind schedule, despite the State government`™s repeated assurance to complete it before the Sangai Festival, the government seems

Sanjenthong Construction

Sanjenthong Construction

IMPHAL, October 16: Even though construction of the Sanjenthong is running far behind schedule, despite the State government`™s repeated assurance to complete it before the Sangai Festival, the government seems to be going ahead with preparations for the festival.

Repairing work has begun along the road stretch from Advance Hospital to Thumbuthong which presently acts as one of the major connection point between the twin Imphal districts, since the Sanjenthong was closed down for reconstruction.

Speaking to IFP, Rajeshwar, the contractor of the road repairing work said that the road stretch is 800 metres long with a width of eight metres from drain to drain.

He said repairing work of the road is undertaken 24×7 with 50 labours and heavy machineries engaged.

There is a strong instruction from the government to complete the work before the Sangai festival, he said before expressing confidence that the work will be completed before Nigol Chakkouba.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that most of the labours who had left for the Durga Puja and Eid festivals are yet to return to their work site at Sanjenthong which is hampering work progress.

Officials had earlier informed that the labours would start returning by October 7, however only 23 labours have returned in the past three days. 30 more labours are expected to arrive tomorrow.

At the same time, a multipurpose crane which is supposed to unload debris from the Old Bridge and fit girders is said to be stranded at Maram since the past one month.

It is learnt that the master cylinder of the crane`™s brake has been damaged.

It is also leant that components of the bridge made in India have arrived while the important parts to be used to attach the girders and sustain the suspension cables will be exported from France.

Nevertheless, reassembling the parts in India will take another one month, sources said.

Workers present at the work site have also speculated that considering all the hindrances, the construction of the bridge could be completed in another four months.

Meanwhile contrary to all the work undertaken, Rajeshkumar, principal secretary, Tourism Government of Manipur has informed that the State government is yet to decide on the venue for the Sangai festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/construction-work-at-sanjenthong-running-far-behind-schedule/