Khwairamband Keithel: Repairing works nearing completion
but resumption of trading not likely
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2020: "Though vendors have been urging the State Government to allow vending at three Khwairamband Keithel, rapid surge in the number of COVID cases in the State petrifies them to resume business," said Kiyam Chandrakumar, Commissioner of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) .

Speaking to The Sangai Express, the Commissioner said that renovation works of the Khwairamband Keithel in the heart of Imphal city which is closed since late March even before the imposition of Nationwide lockdown is nearing completion.

Repairing works of the keithel began in March, 2020 .

Installation of CCTV cameras, fans, bulbs, wall painting, wire fitting, roofing and repairing drainage in surrounding areas of Ima Keithel no 1 (Ima Leimarel Sidabi Keithel) are completed, he said adding that the project was carried out from the funds of IMC.

The repairing work is almost complete, but the market can be safely reopened only after the pandemic is effectively contained, Kiyam Chandrakumar opined.

A total of 18 CCTV cameras have been fitted inside Ima Leimarel Sidabi Keithel to check dirtying there, he said adding that any vendors found practising unsanitary activities inside the keithel will be fined as per the law of the land.

Some new CCTV cameras, fans were installed at Ima Emoinu Keithel and Ima Phouoibee Keithel.

A fresh wall painting of the three markets is also almost complete.

On the hand, president of Khwairamband Nupi Keithel, Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup, Thoudam Shanti said that 1,700 licensed vendors operate at Ima Leimarel Sidabi Keithel, 735 at Ima Emoinu Keithel and 1,345 at Ima Phouoibee Keithel.

The prolonged closure of Khwairamband Keithel has affected the lives of vendors operating there greatly, but many of them are unwilling to resume business due to the worsening COVID situation, she asserted.

Shanti also said that the majority of women vendors operating in Khwairamband Keithel are above 60 years and as such, it is unlikely that they will come out in the market even if the Government allows.

It is also doubtful that the vendors of Khwairamband Keithel will be able to follow SOPs for COVID-19 properly, considering the limitation of space, she said and opined that reopening the market only after the pandemic is controlled would be better.

Comment