World Tourism Day at Noney :: One tourist spot for each AC: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 27 2019: Manipur joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Tourism Day today.

The State level function was organised by Tourism Department at Longmai Ground in Noney District with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the chief guest.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that a world-class tourist destination would be developed at Noney to attract tourists from all over the world to the world's tallest girder railway bridge (141 metres) being constructed by North East Frontier Railway across the valley of river Ijei.

He further announced that required funds for development of one tourist spot each in all the 60 Assembly segments of the State would be included in the next budget.

World Tourism Day at Noney :: One tourist spot for each AC: CM

In urban areas, the Chief Minister said, such tourist sites would be developed with cafeterias or eating joints while in rural and hill areas, scenic tourist places cum home would be developed.

Informing that each tourist spot would cost around Rs 50 lakh, N Biren Singh stated that Rs 30 lakh would be borne by the State Government while the remaining Rs 20 lakh should be contributed from the Local Area Development Fund of the MLAs concerned.

Maintaining that tourism sector is the future of Manipur, and it has the potential to provide employment to thousands of people, the Chief Minister said that this project must be implemented with utmost dedication and sincerity.

Observing that improvement of road infrastructure is a must to promote Manipur as a tourist-friendly State, the Chief Minister said that the State Government had requested the Centre to upgrade Kaiphundai-Tousem-Haflong road to the standard of a National Highway.

He also appreciated villagers for their willingness to donate land for broadening of the said stretch of road.

Biren mentioned about the need for development of memorial sites of Rani Gaidinliu and Haipou Jadonang as tourist places.

Just like some insincere politicians, this season's rainfall pattern is also abnormal but it is said that the present spell of rainfall has merits, said the Chief Minister.

The State and the people have been suffering many difficulties on account of some self-centric politicians, he said.

Addressing his 'team', Biren said, "Let's prioritise 'we' over 'I'.

This will do well for the whole State".

There are people who have been circulating a propaganda that Biren is only good at lip-service and such people might be here too, he continued.

Regarding helicopter service, Biren said that another helicopter service connecting different interior areas with the State capital under Centre's UDAN scheme would be launched soon in addition to the existing helicopter service run by Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd.

Stating that the State Government had brought many visible developmental changes in the past two years and a half, the Chief Minister asked the DCs concerned to hold meetings regularly with village leaders to make them aware about completed works and upcoming projects through PowerPoint presentations.

Informing that Tamenglong and Noney districts had received an additional fund of Rs 90 crore under Hill Area Development Programme, the Chief Minister said that 10 works are being executed in Noney District under the same programme .

Stating that various other developmental works are also being taken up in the district, the Chief Minister said that transit accommodation for doctors and teachers and Eklavya Residential School can be mentioned to name a few.

He also instructed Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and DCs of Tamenglong and Noney to conduct camps for enrolment of eligible needy families under CMHT, CMST and Ayushman Bharat.

Urging the villagers to extend co-operation in making CM's Green Manipur Mission a success, Biren sought suggestion from leaders and common people regarding an alternative to Jhum cultivation.

Tamei AC MLA Awangbou Newmai presided over the function which was also attended by CAF & PD Minister Karam Shyam, Deputy Speaker K Robindro, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman S Rajen, Planning and Development Authority Chairman T Robindro, Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board Chairman H Dingo, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd (TCML) Chairman Dr Sapam Ranjan and Yaiskul AC MLA Th Satyabrata, Manipur State Disaster Management Authority Vice-Chairperson Adim Pamei, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and DGP LM Khaute as dignitaries among others.

N Biren Singh also led other dignitaries in visiting the stalls opened at the function in connection with the celebration.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected the site, where DC Office Complex, Noney would be constructed at Longmai Part-I.Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister and his entourage were accorded a warm welcome by a large number of people singing traditional song and presenting welcome dance on their arrival at Noney.

Scores of people including school children, men and women clad in traditional attires stood in long lines on both sides of the road to welcome the Chief Minister and his team.

Presentation of colourful cultural items was another highlight of the State level World Tourism Day celebration.