Kanglapat renovation : Contractors race against time, work overtime
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 10 2015: Even as renovation and beautification of Kanglapat is being undertaken on a war footing to meet the deadline for the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival, organisers of the festival reportedly planning to organise Hiyang Tanaba (traditional boat race) at the moat.

PWD Superintending Engineer N Subhash told The Sangai Express that renovation works of western and southern portions of Kanglapat began on September 18 under the joint supervision of Tourism Department and PWD.

Informing that the estimated cost of the work is Rs 6 crore, Subhash informed that although the work order was issued to a single contractor, four other sub contractors are working under him by dividing the moat into five equal portions of 154 metre each to meet the deadline.

Informing that they have been working overtime from 6 am to 11 pm, Subhash said that construction of retaining walls has been completed while construction of the concrete walls adjacent to the footpath is also nearing completion.

Saying that the muds dug out from the moat are being used for ground levelling inside Kangla fort.

Subhash expressed hope that this work would also be completed within a few days as eight pro-cranes, one dozer, four earth excavators and several trucks are being used for the task.

Saying that the moat would be dug 6 feet deep from the current depth.

Subhash said that fresh water would be pumped into Kanglapat from Imphal river from November 17 or 18 .

Different types of annual and perennial flowers would be planted on the banks of the moat to give an appealing look to visitors.

On the other hand, sources said that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has given strict instruction to contractors and engineers to renovate the moat to last 50 years.

It may be mentioned that the moat witnessed its last renovation in 1949 .

Concerned citizens have opined that constant falling of dry leaves from the trees grown on the banks of the moat is one of the reasons for the bed of Kanglapat to rise.

The remaining western and northern portions of the moat would be renovated after Manipur Sangai Festival, said another source.

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