Imphal, September 27: After a protracted period of stand off between the women vendors and the Government, the construction work of Khwairamband Bazar has begun in sync with the sentiments of the womenfolk to retain its traditional character and style.

The construction of Luxmi market began since yesterday and it will be followed suit by New Market within the next week.

A meeting of the Planning Development Authority (PDA) Board which was held this afternoon with PDA Chairman K Ranjit Singh in the chair has approved the new design of the Khwairamband Bazar to be re-constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crores under the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, informed a reliable source.

The source disclosed that some changes have been made in the earlier design of the market according to the need and aspiration of the Construction Committee and the women vendors of the market.

Accordingly, the earlier proposal of keeping underground parking has been scrapped and the traditional style/character will be retained.

National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) is taking up the construction of the three markets of Khwairamband Bazar, namely Luxmi Bazar New Market and Purana Bazar.

Today�s meeting of the PDA which was also the first meeting of its new term also gave the go ahead signal on declaring the required/acquired land for setting up the proposed Capitol project including construction of High Court and Secretariat as Scheme areas of the PDA, the source disclosed.

It is possible that the land of the TB Hospital, offices of the Agricultural Departments, PWD Stores and some other private patta land might be included in the Scheme areas, it added.

Since the State Govt has agreed to step in as the Guarantor on behalf of PDA for the due loan amount and interest payable to HUDCO amounting to Rs 170 crores and the HUDCO has subsequently lifted the restriction on sanctioning further loan, the meeting also decided to start the process of issuing housing loan to the people.

PDA had taken the loan in connection with the construction of the National Games Villages at the time of the National Games hosted by Manipur.

However, as the PDA is not in position to return the loan amount, the State Government stepped in as the State Guarantor and a State Cabinet decision was taken in this regard during its September 21 meeting, the source informed.

It may be recalled here that PDA stalled the process of issuing Housing loan after HUDCO ceased to provide fund on account of its failure to return the earlier loan amount.

The PDA Board has also decided to allot Quarter No A Type-112 at National Games Village to Mary Kom, the source added.

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