Polo statue work yet to take off
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 16 2016:
A gigantic polo statue which should be constructed at Heingang Hills, Imphal East district is making little progress.
The statue of a polo player sitting on a horseback which would be 110 feet tall should be installed in the complex of Lord Marjing.
Statue of a polo player sitting on horseback which is 10 feet in height and 85 feet in length would be installed over a 100 feet high pedestal.
Installation of such a huge statue is not an easy task, said an official source.
The inner structure of the statue would be made of steel and its outer surface would be covered by bronze.
The status is designed by Prof Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University.
There are certain technical difficulties in view of the statue's height such as making it resistant to strong winds and earthquakes.
Nonetheless, the Government's approval has been already obtained.
The proposal to construct a road up to the base of the statue has been given first stage clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The second stage clearance is being awaited, informed the official.
The construction work cannot be initiated until the second stage clearance is received.
On the other hand, many are doubtful whether a mega tourism project being undertaken at Khongjom can be completed within the stipulated period or not although maximum efforts are being invested.
Signifying British invasion of Manipur from three different directions, three towers each measuring 90 feet in height would be erected atop Kheba hillock and a monolith would be erected within the perimeter formed by the three towers and it would represent Manipuri troops' defensive formation.
The 90 feet high towers are being made of RCC and the stones used in constructing them are special ones with high quality which are imported from outside the State.
Steel rods used in the towers are 32 mm thick in diameter and the rings are 16 mm thick.
The construction work has, so far, covered upto 15 feet, added the official.