The Earthquake, Eema Keithel and the Impasse

Prithiraj Chungkham *

It is very unfortunate that parts of the world known Emma Keithel complex were affected during the recent earthquake rendering them partially non-functional. It is even more unfortunate that the subsequent controversial construction of the temporary market in the Thangal Bazaar and then later at the Hao Keithel. The latter seems to be a relatively better choice though it will still create havoc in the core of the Imphal Bazaar and nuisance in the long run. Well, the time of natural calamity and misfortune is also a good time for us to reflex, retrospect and try to do the best thing for the future.

The current misfortune could be a great opportunity for us to make the core of the Imphal Bazaar a world class market place. Following are my sincere proposals at a conceptual level, the big picture. I have very little knowledge of Urban Planning; thus the current proposal is just a simple layman’s thoughts and wishes. The detail and precise planning, of course, need to be undertaken by the Government using our great pools of engineers, architects, administrators, politicians, and the public, especially the communities/lekaises likely to be effected.

A Temporary Eema Keithel in the Kangla

A temporary Eema Keithel in the Kangla could be constructed very rapidly without must constraints of accessibility. It will also give a breathing space for the Eemas and the public, and at the same time, the Government can start renovating the core area of the Imphal City systematically, part by part with minimum of disturbance in the businesses as usual.

o Construct a makeshift Eema Market in the earlier mela ground lying free in the Kangla complex (see map) which could easily accommodate over 2,000 vendors.

o Rows of 3 to 4 feet-high-wooden solid platforms with roofs so that Eemas shall not sit on a wet ground on rainy days, have shade on the hot days and the customers shall not bend down while choosing the biggest yongchak maru.

o Efficient temporary waste management and toiletries. We don’t want a dirty and smelly Kangla.

o A temporary parking lot in the ground to the east (see map).

o Temporary lift of the Kangla entrance fee but replaced by donation boxes at places to avoid impossible Qs.

A Vehicle Free Imphal Bazar Core

Almost in all the metropolitan cities in the world, the cores of the city area are vehicle free with excellent pavement designed for:

o Pedestrian, by-cycle and limited numbers of cycle rickshaws in our case.
o Allow vehicles for goods delivery only during odd hour i.e.12 pm - 4 am.
o Allow vehicles belonging to denizens living or own a shop within the area by assigning them special permits and plate numbers.
o Rental bicycle stands every 500 meters so that one can pick it up at one stand leave it at another.
o Dustbins every 200 meters, emptied twice a day.
o Encourage use of paper and organic bags rather than plastic ones.

Fig.1. Map showing proposed temporary Eema Keithel and near future Vehicle Free Zone and Parking Lots in the Imphal Bazar, Manipur.

Underground Parking

In order to make the core of the city vehicle free, ample parking lots need to be provided within walking or cycling distance.

o Parking lots are desired at major road intersections for easier accessibilities from maximum of directions (see map).

o Building 4 to 5 level underground parking structures topped with over the ground 2 to 3 story shopping complexes, offices and living apartments based on the need of the area.

o We will need to estimate properly the number and type of parking lots needed in each structure so that there will be considerable number of lots left for the public after assigning reserve lots to employees, shop owners and apartment tenants.

o The assigned reserved lots can be made payable annually while the unassigned lot payable by minutes and hours.

o Provide rental cycle stands at the exits of parking lots so that one can park and ride cycle to and fro to whatever one’s business.

I strongly believe that the current impasse can be a great opportunity for us to retrospect and discuss involving all the stake holders and make a resolution to start building a smart Imphal City by changing first, the core of the city into a world class market place from the current shameful, unhygienic and inhuman shamble.

One appeal I would like to make to our architects and engineers is to use or at least give a touch of our indigenous style and ancestral aesthetic on new buildings and structures whenever possible rather than just copy and paste from somewhere else.

Now, the question is, do we have the resource, commitment and drive to get it done within a maximum of five years?