From Ima Keithel to Thangal bazar : Govt's outlandish idea
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 19 2016 -

An outlandish idea, it is.

How else does one explain the rationale of setting up temporary market sheds plum in the ‘middle’ of the busy and extremely congested Thangal bazar.

With the recently constructed Ima Keithel developing cracks after the intense earthquake of January 4, the women vendors had to move out as it was no longer safe to sell their wares inside the said market complex.

All this is fine for safety cannot be compromised.

And this is where the Government came out with the ‘brilliant’ idea of shifting the women vendors to a temporary market shed, along the crowded Thangal bazar.

The pictures carried in the State dailies should more than drive home the point that this was a half baked idea, if at all it can be called an idea.

Thangal bazar is a congested place and how can one justify the decision of shifting the women vendors from Ima Keithel along the roadside of this congested stretch ?

How about the shops located along this stretch ?

With the temporary market shed coming up in front of these shops, how does the Government expect them to carry on with their activities normally ?

It is akin to opening another shop in front of an already existing shop at Thangal bazar and it defies logic that this bare fact blew over the head of the Government.

Did the Government take the trouble of consulting the town planners ?

Aren’t they the ones who should be contributing their thoughts and ideas on where to house the women vendors until the Ima Keithel is repaired fittingly ?

Why didn’t the Government take the trouble of consulting experts ?

Nonsensical it is to let the women vendors from the Ima Keithel set up shop in front of shops along Thangal bazar.

It just does not make any sense. Apart from the inconveniences posed to the shopkeepers, thoughts ought to be given to those who come to Thangal bazar for their shopping.

Thangal bazar is an important commercial centre of Manipur and is home to a number of commercial outlets.

Over and above this there are also banks, the Indian Airlines office, schools, the prominent one being Nirmalabas High School and is home to a number of commercial centres selling everything from nails to pails.

No wonder this place is always crowded.

Making things worse is obviously the decision of the Government to let the women vendors set up shop along the road of Thangal bazar and this is where it stands exposed that no thoughts were given on where to make temporary arrangements for the women vendors.

For starters why has the State Government decided to give a quiet burial to the proposals of setting up the temporary market shed on the pavement over the Naga Nullah ?

Why not look beyond the immediate commercial centre and see if the women vendors can be housed temporarily at say Lamphel ?