Imphal, October 18 2010: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today laid the foundation stone for construction of a new building of the Civil Secretariat as part of the larger Capitol project at Mantripukhri today.

The step has been taken as the existing buildings of the Civil Secretariat, both the old and the new blocks, at Babupara have out lived its utility and there is no scope for expansion as the area is congested.

The new building of the Civil Secretariat is to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 282.60 crores.

The service of the Kolkata based M/s Simplex Projects Ltd has been roped in for the construction work.

The new building, will house three different blocks namely North Block, South Block and Ministerial Block.

In the Ministerial Block, there would be in all 29 rooms including the chamber of the Chief Minister besides the office of the Advocate General, Committee rooms like the Cabinet Rooms and conference halls.

Facilities for 250-capacity banquet hall/conference hall, mini-power house, godown, canteen, drivers' room, chowkidar's quarters, garage, common toilet, security tower and barrack, underground and overhead water reservoirs, internal roads and parking space, compound wall, landscape garden, water fountains, horticulture work, networking, CCTV, SDTP and electronic lifts, etc are some of the features which would be taken into consideration at the time of constructing the New Secretariat complex.

The earmarked land area of the new Civil Secretariat complex is 30.63 acres while the land area where the land actual construction work is 56,213 square metre.

The structures of the Civil Secretariat would also be designed in such a way to resist earthquake and disabled friendly.

The construction work on the new building complex of New Secretariat is being targeted to be completed within 36 months.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh observed that Secretariat is an important office complex for any State.

So, the Government has been trying to bring together all the offices within one complex so as to help in expediting the developmental works taken up by the Government.

This would not only save time but would also help in streamlining the administrative set up.

Plans are also afoot for shifting the offices from Lamphel area and develop a beautiful ecological site, the Chief Minister informed, adding that care should be taken as far as possible to keep the cities pollution free.

In his presidential address, Works Minister K Ranjit Singh said that arrangements are being made for the inauguration of the mini-Secretariat complexes being constructed at Tamenglong and Ukhrul as well as the ADC building at Kangpokpi within March next year.

Once the Capital Project being set p at Chingmeirong is completed, the city can be planned in a systematic manner, he added.

Health Minister Ph Parijat, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Tourism Minister TN Haokip, Education Minister L Jayantakumar, Sports Minister N Biren, Agriculture Minister N Loken, TD Minister DD Thaisii, Deputy Speaker Th Lokeshore, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Bijoy Koijam, Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board E Dwijamani, Chairman of MANITRON Dr Kh Ratankumar and MLA W Brajabidhu were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

Comment