PFA expresses concern over Sanjenthong diversion bridge
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 06 2014:
The construction of the new Sanjenthong Bridge in the heart of the Imphal city has added to the immense hardship faced by the public of Imphal city regarding traffic movement.
Students are now forced to spend more money as well as time in travelling to and from their educational institutions.
Office goers are unable to reach their offices on time.
So it is pretty obvious that the new Sanjenthong bridge needs to be completed as early as possible and at the same time a diversion bridge should be built, said a press release issued by PFA Thoubal.
But prior to construction of the diversion bridge, the construction site and its pros and cons should be discussed thoroughly with special reference to the surrounding environment as the construction site Mongba Hanba occupies an important place in the socio-religious life of the
people of Manipur.
Mongba Hanba forest is regarded as the soul of Imphal as it is the only forest in the heart of Imphal city which contributes in preserving natural environment.
Mongba Hanba forest also helps a lot in tackling environmental pollution aggravated by the increasing pace of modernisation.
Development works should not be allowed to harm natural environment as far as possible.
Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil famous for its world class infrastructures developed without disturbing the existing forest environment.
Brazilians are successful on this front because they adopted a development policy which was highly scientific as well as environment friendly.
To be successfull like the Brazilians, there should be smooth and effective co-ordination among different Departments of the State Government.
Only then, the State can get rid of all unwanted controversies, the press statement added.
Although the State Forest Department was observing Vanamahotsav under the central theme of conserving forest, it had no time to protect Mongba Hanba forest, PFA said.
The proposed diversion bridge and its possible impacts on Mongba Hanba forest must be studied comprehensively before going ahead with the bridge construction work, it added.