Suggestions pour in from public
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2015: Following Government's appeal to the public to give suggestions regarding upgradation of Imphal as a smart city, The Sangai Express has also started seeking opinion from its readers and general public and carrying the same on this daily from today.

Readers and the general public are invited to submit/post suggestions to TSE.

All the constructive suggestions on the possible structure of a smart city will be published for wide publicity and discussions.

On this project which will be taken up to make Imphal a city where people may lead a quality life, MU's Economics Department Professor Amar Yumnam said that Imphal does not need to be upgraded like Paris, Los Angeles or Singapore but it must be developed as a city which upholds the history of Manipur in the fast changing scenario of the world.

While upgrading Imphal as a smart city, women's status must be uplifted and environment protected, the Professor opined.

According to Shija Hospitals Managing Director Dr Kh Palin, condition of all the roads must be enhanced while making Imphal a Smart City.

All the problems and inconveniences caused to the public due to faulty transport system must be addressed first, Dr Palin said.

Although Shija Hospitals is located within the jurisdiction of Imphal Municipal Corporation, the Government is yet to make an arrangement to provide water to the hospital, Dr Palin said.

As such, the hospital has been purchasing water privately since its inception, he added.

An effective plan to provide adequate safe drinking water to every household of the city must be included while developing the project of a Smart City, he said.

Dr Palin also said that Imphal must be developed as a favourite city of South East Asian Nations for medical tourism.

Giving his opinion, Director of Environment Research Officer T Brajakumar said that migration rate from rural to urban areas is high.

The migration rate to Imphal is 42.74 per cent while the National average is 31.8 per cent.

Imphal must be developed in a way to comfortably accommodate all the people who move to Imphal and provide quality life to all the residents, he observed.

N Bishwajit, a student from Tera Sapam Leirak opined that Imphal must be developed as the most important city in the whole North East India by enhancing the infrastructure and road condition.

He also suggested building subways to ease traffic congestion.

L Anil, a student from Keishampat said that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) must be encouraged to develop Imphal.

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