Lack of co-ordination dogs Kangla beautification works
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2015: There is apparent lack of coordination in the beautification works of outer moat of Kangla or Kangla Pat, which is inextricably linked with the history of Manipur.

The State Govt had put up an overall project for renovation of Kangla to the Ministry of Tourism after constructing the Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh tourist circuit.

As per the proposal, Rs 70 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for renovation and beautification of Kangla.

Out of the sanctioned amount, Rs 6 crore has been utilised for beautification of Kangla Pat and construction of 7/8 craft houses on the Naga Nullah from Babu bridge to Maharani bridge.

The two projects have been implemented by the State PWD.

Beautification work underway at Kangla moat

An official of the PWD told The Sangai Express that the State Govt has been making efforts to improve tourism sector in the State in such a way that tourists are charmed and fascinated to extend their stay in the State.

Fresh water lake, Loktak, is one of the tourism assets of the State.

There is a national park and the Khongjom War Memorial site.

Besides, Manipur is the gateway to South East Asia.

Considering the tourism assets of the State, the Tourism Ministry sanctioned Rs 70 crore for overall project for the beautification of Kangla after constructing a tourist circuit connecting Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh.

The Ministry concerned has also given approval in-principle for construction of tourist attraction at other places touched by the tourist circuit.

The PWD official said that efforts are on to adorn Kangla moat with attractive looks.

Meanwhile, officials of departments concerned who are closely working for beautification of Imphal expressed the urgency to forge better coordination in the Kangla Pat beautification works and construction of craft houses on the Naga Nullah.

Beautification work of Kangla Pat was taken up at least twice during the last 20 years.

The present beautification work is the third in a row, the officials said.

It is clear that the first and second beautification works of Kangla Pat were not stable as well as durable, they said.

As such, there is the urgency to study the reason for such flaws before fully implementing the third beautification work, the officials felt.

Amongst others, construction of footpath, providing luminous light, erecting proper fencing along the moat are said to be taken up.

Since the PWD alone is unlikely to deliver to the public expectation, it would be judicious to consult other related departments like PDA, Town Planning and IMC so that the works meet the expectation of the public, the officials suggested.

They also expressed their desire and wish for a detailed deliberation on the functionality of the Kangla Pat beautification work.