Step on for setting up Animal Quarantine Centre, Cold Storage Centre at Moreh
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 07, 2014: With the focus of Indian economy giving a paradigm shift towards South East Asia, Manipur Government has started taking up some major steps like setting up an animal quarantine centre and a cold storage centre at the commercial hub of Moreh town in Chandel district, bordering Myanmar.

After a Plant Quarantine Centre which was recently established at Moreh has begun giving satisfactory benefit to the public, the Government of Manipur has decided to set up an Animal Quarantine Centre in the hope of ensuring availability of fresh meat and fish products taking into consideration of the fact that a variety of fish and meat products from Myanmar are abundantly available in the border town, official source in State Commerce & Industries Department told Hueiyen Lanpao on Saturday.

In tune with the Government's decision, the Commerce & Industries Department has instructed the Fisheries as well as the Veterinary Departments to begin taking necessary steps for setting up of the proposed Animal Quarantine Centre at Moreh, the source added.

Besides, the Ministry of Commerce & Industries has also begun taking up necessary steps for establishing one cold storage centre each at Moreh and Imphal Tulihal Airport.

The task for development of these two planned cold storages will be entrusted to Agricultural Food Products Export Development of India, an apex body of the Ministry of Commerce.

A high profile official team made up of seven members is likely to visit the State for the purpose next Wednesday.

The seven-member team is expected to include Bedit Barua, Regional Manager, Guwahati and experts from Yes Bank & Import.

The official team is likely to seek all the details about the proposed cold storage centre at Moreh including proper location and rough estimate of the project cost.

For the cold storage to be constructed at Tulihal Airport, Imphal; the required fund has already been sanctioned and the Manipur Development Society (MDS) has been tasked with the work, the source disclosed.

It may be noted here that recently, Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam visited Moreh town.

During the visit, the Minister found two suitable locations for setting up the proposed cold storage centre.

If acquired, the Agricultural Food Products Export Development of India will give appropriate land compensation to the owner for the establishment of the cold storage.

However, there is no regular power supply in Moreh where load shedding has made the problem even worse.

In this commercial hub where even five hours of power supply is not available, it is likely that developing and running of a cold storage centre will be a difficult job.

But it is expected that Manipur Government will be urged to provide 30 MW of power to enable 24-hour supply of electricity to Moreh town.

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