Imphal, March 22 2009: Gandhi Memorial Hall, popularly known as GM Hall has been serving as the most popular venue for a variety of social functions, public meeting, entertainment programmes and even tombola draws for the last 30 years.

Located in the heart of Imphal city, GM has been associated with many a great of number of memorable social events and functions.

Built in 1958 and inaugurated in January 1972, GM has also been supporting the officials and their families looking after its maintenance.

But even as the hall has worn out and its structures/infrastructure already outdated, the authority is yet to wake up to the reality and chalk out a means to upgrade and develop the hall.

Nevertheless, GM Hall which took 14 years to build, has been the hallmark of Imphal city for the last many years.

Since the day the hall was inaugurated, the authority concerned seemed to have little time or concern to repair and renovate the popular hall in time.

Once in 1989, the hall was repaired but for name�s sake.

As such, one would find it hard to think that the hall is still in good shape.

What is more disturbing and looks disgusting is the condition of toilet attached to the hall.

The hall built over land belonging to Imphal Municipal Council was handed over the public by the then Governor Lt Col Korli.

Earlier GM Hall was the most sought after venue for organising musical concerts, dramas and public concerts.

But nowadays, the hall is fast losing its popularity.

Even then, the authority looking after the hall seemed to be oblivious to the declining popularity of the once famous hall.

Under such, circumstances, the end is staring at a sad and unceremonious end.

The hall having seating capacity of 560 fetches revenue of Rs 1.5 lakhs to 2 lakhs annually.

The same amount is used for payments of salaries to officials and staff without bothering to spare any amount for maintenance of the hall.

Under such careless attitude, its basic infrastructure like electric bulbs, fans and seats are deteriorating from bad to worse day by day.

Moreover, the power generator and sound system installed in the hall have long gone out of order compelling all parties intending to hire the hall to hire both generator and sound system from outside.

Earlier the clocks installed at the pinnacle of the hall facing three directions are also not functioning, thanks to the utter negligence of the staff looking after it.

Earlier clocks were considered most accurate and even sirens were sounded by Civil Defence in tune to the hours given by the clocks.

It is not only the public that uses the GM Hall.

The State Government has also been organising important events like Gandhi Jayenti, Martyrs'Day etc in the hall.

However, that has been no plan or initiative to repair, renovate and upgrade the hall all these years from the side of the successive Governments.

Although, the hall was given face-lifts at times by white-washing its exteriors, the interior of the hall and the existing infrastructure tells a very different story.

Considering the sorry state of affairs, many citizens are of the opinion that the hall may be handed over to a private party or NGO instead of leaving it in its present state before the hall fades into disuse and ultimately disappear from public conscience.

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