Historic Thong Nambonbi remains unattended
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Imphal, July 22 2012: The Thong Nambonbi (the hump bridge), which has been associated with the history of Manipur, remained unattended by the state government with many non-Manipuris making it a convenient site for hawking all sorts of goods.

The bridge was constructed by the British in the most amazing manner using lime powder and molasses as adhesive.

The bridge was later declared a protected historical site by the state government.

Though declared as a protected site, the Thong Nambonbi has been left unattended for a quite long time.

Today, it has become a place for selling goods by the non-Manipuris apart from using it as parking area illegally.

Moreover, the construction materials of the Sewerage projects are being piled up on the bridge.

Sources from the Archeological Department revealed that the Department had tried .many a times to draw the attention of the state government to the deteriorating condition of the bridge.

However, the government has done nothing concrete so far.

Left with no choice, the department has taken up the initiative of protecting the historic bridge from further destruction.

The source revealed that Thong Nambonbi would be repaired and renovated to its original form after the monsoons.

A new sign board would also be erected at the site to highlight the historical importance of the bridge.

Furthermore, the source disclosed that the Mao traffic point, which has been declared as a heritage site, too would be developed.

It was declared a protected site in the year 1980 .

The amounts for repairing the traffic island have been sanctioned and stone fencing of the area would also be carried out.

Moreover, fencing around the sacred fire site at Andro, which has also been declared as a protected area in 1980, would be put up and the work process is already underway.

The Kangkhui cave in Ukhrul will also be protected and developed at the earliest, the source added.

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