Sanjenthong cries for attention as Sangai Festival approaches
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 19 2017: Imphal is undergoing an image makeover in anticipation of the Manipur Sangai Festival, which is sponsored by the State Government.

The roads leading to the town and a couple of places where the festival is scheduled have also been given a facelift.

However, Sanjenthong bridge is deluged in dust amidst the festival fever.

The Sangai Festival is going to an important instant in the contemporary history of Manipur.

Both domestic and foreign tourists and delegates will be treated with the best of Imphal and it is here where one of the most strategic bridges, Sanjenthong, is situated connecting Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

The previous time worn two-lane RCC bridge had became too weak while still serving as an important link between the two districts.

Besides, it leads to Palace Compound, which is the main venue of the Sangai Festival.

Seeing the importance and the then existing condition, the Ibobi Government had put in efforts to renovate this bridge, with the State's own fund.

Reports show it was redesigned several times to make the new four-lane bridge as aesthetically pleasing as it can be and finally it was re-opened on November 18, just a few days before the 2015 edition of Sangai Festival.

Numerous delegates and tourists visit Manipur for the Sangai Festival and a majority of them passes through this bridge.

Then there are also some of the landmarks and locations: the City Convention Centre, Manipur State Film and Development Society and the Shree Govindajee Temple, amongst others.

Again, this bridge takes all the visitors to their destinations.

Despite ite significance, not for the Sangai Festival and not even for once a year, the Sanjenthong has been given a facelift.

Instead, with merely a day to go for the festival, the bridge lies as always with its face all covered with dust.

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