Govt brainstorms to revive Imphal Evening
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2018:
Taking serious note of the dwindling number of visitors and an even rapid decrease in the number of stalls during Imphal Evening, the State Government has begun discussing of ideas and ways to revive the event.
Imphal Evening was inaugurated by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on October 2 last year with the aim of providing a slice of night life to the people of Manipur.
During the initial stages, the event looked the part as visitors thronged to the venue, but now, it is almost next to impossible to find around 100 visitors during Imphal Evening.
Even the number of stalls usually number around 12 to 13 nowadays.
According to information received by The Sangai Express from an official source, a coordination committee, with MAHUD's Secretary as its Chairman, held a meeting to discuss all possible ideas/methods to revive Imphal Evening, taking stock of the dwindling popularity of the event.
Although numerous proposals were put forward, none have been selected as ideas and proposals will be discussed at the level of the Chief Minister, the source added.
On the other hand, the source claimed that the recent decrease in the number of visitors is due to the cold weather, numerous wedding ceremony schedules as well as the approaching examinations.
Moreover, the people of Manipur are normally more into organising picnics with families and friends during these seasons, the source stated and expressed belief that by the middle of February, the number of visitors to Imphal Evening might gradually increase.
Pointing out that Imphal Evening has enabled the people to walk around during the night time with their friends and family, without thinking about traffic, the source conveyed that the Government is also discussing the possibility of prohibiting all kinds of vehicular traffic along the market stretch of Paona Keithel and Thangal Keithel so as to encourage only foot traffic.
To transform this plan into action, the State Government has tabled all necessary plans to convert the basement of all three Ima Keithels into parking spaces, thus eliminating the creation of parking spaces in other locations around Imphal city.
Stating that improving the traffic condition of Imphal is the top priority in the Smart city project, the source stated that all the necessary funds for the creation of parking spaces in the basements of the three Ima Keithels are there and the Government will begin taking up construction works at the earliest.
It explained that parking spaces will be created by boring tunnels which connect the basements of the three Ima Keithels.
Necessary DPR is being processed for the said work.
After the DPR is finished, the tender for the project will be floated and a reputed firm/company will be tasked with taking up the project, the source added.
It also stated that the necessary funds for the construction of the parking spaces under the basement of the three Ima Keithels will be taken Rs 107 crore to be sanctioned by the Central Government for Smart City project.