Eastern Kangla bridge to be reconstructed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2019: The State Government is planning to reconstruct a wooden bridge, which had been present over Imphal river on the Eastern side of Kangla till 1891, using modern technologies and methods at the same location.

The decision to reconstruct the bridge was taken during the 28th meeting of the Kangla Fort Board, which was constituted on December 15 last year and which is chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, one of the Members of the Board, Mutua Bahadur (Director, Mutua Museum, Imphal) said that another meeting of the Board will be convened soon to initiate the work at the earliest.

He explained that the old wooden bridge was constructed over the Imphal river from the road between Sangai Yumpham and Govindajee temple inside Kangla and added that the new bridge will be constructed similar to the appearance of the old bridge.

Eastern Kangla bridge

However, new technologies will be used in the construction of the said bridge, he said, adding that the new bridge will be tin roofed and a shed will also be constructed at the side of the bridge which is inside Kangla.

Explaining that the old bridge led to New Checkon Golapati road, he said that even though Kangla has Western, Northern and Southern entry/exit points, the lack of the said Eastern route presents a somewhat congested appeal for Kangla.

It will be a good step to properly construct such a bridge similar to what was in place in the early days of Kangla, he said.

Eastern Kangla bridge

Mutua Bahadur continued that the original appearance of Kangla also included the inner and outer moats and informed that the outer moat stretches from the Western gate, Khoyathong, Kekrupat, till Hatta where Kouna plants once grew.

Stating that the said location at Hatta has now been settled by people, he continued that the moat continues from Hatta to Ahongei Leirak Machin, Nongmeibung, Nambam Chuthek, Konung Mamang till Sanjenthong's Officer Colony.

But now, the area of Kangla has been reduced to just 237.62 acres, he added.

After the British left, Kangla was occupied by 17th Assam Rifles thus restricting entry of people to Kangla.

After the Army left Kangla on November 20, 2004 and in a grand ceremony which was attended by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Kangla was handed over to the people of Manipur.

Following this, the Kangla Fort Bill 2004 was passed by the State Assembly and it was transformed into an Act on January 14, 2005.Finally the Kangla Fort Board was eventually constituted with the aim of preserving and protect ing the sacred Kangla, Mutua Bahadur added.