Imphal-gloss plan hits dirt pile
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2009: Although the State Government has taken up steps to procure sweeping machines to keep Imphal city neat and clean, deplorable condition of roads and littering of garbages around the traffic island of Palace Compound where a statue of Thangal General is to be installed as part of the city beautification plan is likely to stand out like a sore thumb.

To realise the dream of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for a neat and clean capital city, the State Government has decided to procure sweeping machine for the first time.

This arrangement is expected to bring about atleast some welcome change in the environment of the twin district capital city, sources said, adding that a similar project to keep the Nambul river clean and free from garbages had already been taken up by the Government.

Statue at the Palace Gate traffic island amid slushy road

It may be noted here that removal of garbages from Imphal city area have been privatised and handed over the task to some NGOs.

Inspite of all these new developments, the present deplorable condition of the road around the traffic island at Palace Compound and dumping of garbages in the surrounding area is likely to stand out like a sore thumb from the ongoing Imphal beautification plan being taken up by the State Government.

As part of the plan, preparations are being made for unveiling a bronze statue of freedom fighter Thangal General at the middle of the traffic island on August 13 to coincide with the upcoming Patriots' Day observance.

When The Sangai Express visited the site for an inspection today, it was noticed that although the statue has already been installed and most of the civil works including fitting of a fountain are almost completed, the road around the traffic island laying in a deplorable condition.

The same is true about the condition of the divergent roads from the traffic island, namely the Nongmeibung Road, the New Checkon Road and the Wangkhei Road.

Apart from water logging at various points, the road medians are in bad shape and grasses grown all over.

Littering of garbages on the road side just opposite to RDS School is also another unsightly landmark of the area which is being developed supposedly to become the cynosure of every passerby.

Meanwhile, Chairman of PDA Dr Kh Loken today inspected the developmental of the traffic island along with other officials.