Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 31:
Notwithstanding the renewed efforts of the Tourism Minister to develop tourism sector in the State, Manipur, despite its huge potential, remains virtually out of the tourist map of the country.
A huge amount of money sanctioned by the Central Government had been returned to the Centre due to failure of the State Government to implement several tourism projects.
Interestingly, Tourism Minister TN Haokip called on Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni at New Delhi and submitted a list of 17 new tourism projects.
He also urged upon the Union Minister to sanction fund for some projects approved earlier.
During 1992-93 to 2000-01, around Rs 1262.10 lakhs were sanctioned for 38 tourism projects in the State.
But all these projects have been dropped now, thanks to the failure of the State Government to implement these projects in time.
Those projects which have now been dropped included construction of a tourist lodge at the base camp of Siroy hills in Ukhrul, construction of a Yatri Niwas at Imphal, development of tourism facilities in Moirang INA complex, development of tourist complexes at Moreh, Dolaithabi, Khuga Dam and Langol, construction of tourist homes at Behiang, Thoubal and Kachai, development of wayside amenities at Noney and Nungba etc.
All these projects were sanctioned from 1992-93 to 1998-99 .
Other tourism projects sanctioned during 1999-2000 but never implemented were construction of base camps at Koubru Leikha and on the Koubru hills, construction of tourist homes at Chingoi Baruni, Jessami, Chandel and Thanlon, development of tourist reception facilities at Moirang and development of wayside amenities at Senapati.
In the succeeding year, another 18 tourism projects sanctioned by the Union Tourism Ministry were dropped by the State Tourism Department.
These projects nipped by the Tourism Department at the very initial stage included construction of tourist homes at Somdal, Nungbi, Changpol, Nambashi and Khangkhui, construction of dormitories at Dzuko valley, near Koubru tank, Zailad lake, Barak and near Baruni cave, construction of tourist lodges at Wangoi, Choither and Ukhrul, construction of base camp at Wakha, development of wayside amenities at Thoubal and Tamenglong, development of Manipur State Museum and development of Moghul Garden at Bishnupur hill range.
The State Government took up 13 tourism projects during 1992-93 to 1997-98 but all these projects were shelved before a single project was completed.
For these 13 projects, Rs 207.18 lakhs were sanctioned by the Centre.
Out of these, Rs 85.33 lakhs were utilised by the State Government but Centre refused to sanction the balance amount as the State Government failed to furnish relevant utilisation certificate.
These projects dropped after initiating some work included construction of cafeterias and jetties at Sendra and Phubala, construction of tourist lodges at Keirao, Serou and Lamdan, development of tourist complexes at Tharon cave, Thongam Mondum, Sendra and Singda, development of health resort at Imphal, beautification and illumination of Imphal War Memorial, purchase of mountain bicycles and construction of 10 alpine huts with tourist facilities at Sendra.