Income from BOAT runs dry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2025: Since the stationing of BSF and SSB troops at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) owing to the conflict, the income earned by the State through hosting various events including Sangai Festival and charity shows, has been completely cut off.

The theatre itself appears to be in a state of disrepair.

When this reporter visited the open air theatre run by the Department of Art & Culture at Hatta Kangjeibung, the auditorium was far from its former spic and span condition.

The roads at the main gate and surrounding areas were also broken.

Heavy vehicles like Tata trucks and other smaller ones belonging to the troops were kept on the verandah of the theatre.

The auditorium hall was littered with electric wires used haphazardly by the security forces.

Due to the deployment of the troops, the guard appeared to have been unable to continue his cleaning duties inside the theatre.

Speaking to The Sangai Express in this regard, Keithellakpam Dinamani, Director, Department of Art & Culture, said that BOAT was inaugurated on June 21, 1996 with a capacity of 3000 people.

Being an open air theatre, it is exposed to the elements of nature and has required upkeep, which used to be carried out from time to time.

The troops were stationed at BOAT two years back at the height of the conflict.

On October 1, the Director submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East with a request to shift the security forces to another location.

However, a response is yet to arrive, he said.

The memorandum highlighted that the Governor had chaired a meeting discussing the conduct of Sangai Festival.

If the Governor gives any instruction to the Department regarding the festival, it would necessitate immediate renovation of BOAT auditorium, which is a major venue of the festival.

As such, the memorandum appealed for the relocation of the security personnel.

In Manipur, BOAT has consistently hosted many cultural and entertainment events before life came to a standstill due to COVID-19 pandemic.

After that, the outbreak of violence in the State made organising such events out of the question, he said.

Prior to these disruptive episodes, the Department earned around Rs 6 lakh per season by hosting different events.

However, the Department has failed to earn any income since the pandemic and the conflict, he said.

Comment