Time To Start Preparations For ‘Sangai Festival 2015’
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 05, 2014 -

Tourism Development has long been a lip service in Manipur.

State government has always talked about development of Tourism industry in the state, particularly during the time when the Look East Policy/Act East Policy is gaining momentum with efforts for more intimacy between India and South East Asian Countries like Myanmar.

However, the progress is quite slow in regard to development of tourism related infrastructure in Manipur.

While the State’s focus on tourism remains only on lips and papers, the Government has not taken due interest in completing the improvement works of a number of tourist spots in various parts of Manipur.

The previous state government under the present Chief Minister had initiated construction and improvement of various tourists’ sites under the 11th Plan in the form of separate packages for Imphal-Ukhrul, Imphal-Churachandpur (Tiddim) and Imphal-Senapati lines.

Various works for improvement of tourist lodges/auditorium at sites located along these lines such as Phubala Tourist Lodge were taken up through the agencies like Manipur Development Society (MDS) and the Manipur tribal Development Council (MTDC).

However, these works have remained incomplete allegedly due to non-release of state share of 20 percent of the cost.

If such tourist sites at scattered places in the state are developed to the standard, tourists visiting the State may comfortably enjoy sightseeing and feel the natural beauty of Manipur.

Confinement of tourists in the lodges in Imphal city like the Hotel Classic will not attract the tourists in any way. Outdoor resorts need to be developed at various peripheries.

Meanwhile, in order to be able to host international and national cultural or sports events, Manipur state now is in need of a specific complex (Indoor or outdoor) which is quite sufficient to accommodate more than 50,000 people at a time comfortably.

In the past, a number of opportunities for holding important events of international and national importance were missed due to lack of a proper venue.

Still today, even the mere ‘Sangai Festival’ was conducted in a very congested fashion. Thousands of people were disappointed for being unable to witness the festival due to non-availability of tickets.

In the aftermath of the Sangai Festival, various sections of people have expressed their views that the festival venue is quite insufficient to cater to the demands of the visitors.

So, they have opined that it is better to stop organizing such a festival, if accommodation cannot be provided for the visitors.

In fact, the next year’s Sangai Festival would become tougher, considering the increasing popularity of the event.

Hence, the state government may explore for a more convenient and spacey venue before the annual event, well before the season comes. Haste is never fruitful.

It is better for the Tourism Department to work out well ahead of the event.