Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2010:
While foundation stones of numerous projects were laid inside Kangla Fort during high profile visits of top dignitaries followed by similar lavish arrangement at the time of inauguration, it is feared that the state exchequer gets drained with every constructions as structures for foundation/inauguration are dismantled with the passage of time.
It is estimated that cost of a single construction for laying of foundation stone is in terms of lakhs as such a structure is built with cement, sand and brick with costly tiles added to give it the finishing touch.
On security ground, most of the high profile visits to Manipur for either laying or inauguration of projects ends up at Kangla Fort and as such structures are erected inside the high security complex.
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Of the many structures constructed inside the Fort, it is informed that a single construction out of three for the double-storey Khwairamband Market complexes, was carried out at a cost of Rs 2.50 lakhs.
Inauguration of the market complexes during the recent visit of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi was done inside Kangla Fort.
During routine visit to Kangla Fort The Sangai Express came across labourers using chisel and hammer to dismantle a foundation stone structure which was erected for construction of a sport complex.
Information has also been received that foundation stones for City Convention Centre and Manipur Institute of Technology laid inside Kangla on December 2, 2006 would be dismantled in the coming weeks.
When Sonia Gandhi arrived on a day-long visit recently, foundation stone for a Muslim Girls' Hostel at Hatta was also laid at Kangla while at an adjacent spot similar structures for construction of INA Memorial Complex, Moirang Tourist centre and others are awaiting decimation.
One particular construction is said to have been carried out at a cost of Rs 3 lakh which included extra expenditure for transportation and material as it was built when economic blockade was in force.
Lakhs wasted on stone ? .
Apart from the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development Kumari Selja, Governor of Manipur Dr Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh have also laid foundation stones inside the historic site.