ADB team to scan Loktak tourism project plan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 03 2022: Chief minister N Biren chaired a meeting with chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and officials of tourism department on Friday to discuss Mega Eco-tourism project and Loktak Master Plan, which will be taken up with financial assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Tourism director W Ibohal, who also attended the meeting, informed The People's Chronicle that the meeting reviewed the preparation for Manipur Mega Eco-Tourism Project and roadblocks in implementing the project.

They also discussed the response from ADB and progress of the works being taken up by consultants hired for the project.

A five-member team of ADB will arrive in Imphal, on Sunday and conduct field survey on the next day.

The government submitted a proposal of Rs 1350 to ADB for the project and several private investors are also willing to invest Rs 810 crore in total.

With such significant amount of investment, there will be no dearth of fund in the materialisation of the project.

ADB had also shown interest stating that it will be a model project for them, the director said.

The Mega Eco-Tourism Project and Loktak Master Plan has several components such as world class eco-tourism resort at Sendra, 18 holes golf course, ethnic mart (market place for ethnic communities), hump bridge along Sendra road to connect Takmu with the other side of the road for underbridge boating, water scooter at Takmu, zorbing ball for water adventure sports, Sendra-Thanga and Thanga-Karang ropeways, development of eco-friendly road between Sendra and Phubala which can only be accessed by bicycle, e-vehicle and foot among others.

The 5-km long Sendra-Phubala eco-friendly road will have components for erecting display boards highlighting historic accounts of the state as well as folklores related with Loktak Lake.

Some other mentionable components include development of tourist village, butterfly garden, orchid garden, gazebos, exhibition cum sale centre of handloom and handicraft items which will also have demonstration of the production process among others, he said.

Ibohal further informed that the main entrance of the Loktak Master Plan will be from Phubala where two small resorts, a grand plaza and a parking lot will be constructed.

No vehicles operated with conventional fuel will be allowed beyond the entrance gate.

However, battery operated vehicles and bicycles will be allowed to enter.

A bird-watch tower will also be constructed at Thinungei, he said.

As of now, there is no definite timeline for starting work on the project.

However, the ADB team will conduct field visit on Monday after which they will take a decision.

Once the project is completed, Manipur will be included in the map of world tourism and it will also provide huge benefits to the people of the state, he added.

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