IMPHAL, April 27: The long-awaited wish of the people to see a statue of a Polo player at Heingang Marjing Hills will soon be fulfilled as the concerned department has received the required forest clearance for the construction work of an integrated Mega Tourist Circuit at the hills from the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Heingang MLA Nongthombam Biren said today.
He said the tourist circuit will also include a 110-foot high statue of a polo player erected at the top of the hillock.
The mega tourist circuit will also include a polo-ground and equestrian track.
The MLA accompanied by concerned officials visited the Ibudhou Marjing shrine today to pray for the success of the construction work for which the concerned department has initiated the groundwork.
Speaking to media persons during the visit, Biren said a total of Rs 12 crore have already been deposited to the State PWD for the construction of the complex by the Tourism department.
He said the target for completion of the project is first week December of this year.
He said he appreciate PWD superintendent engineer N Subhash and his team for taking up the challenge to erect a huge 110 feet high statue atop the Heingang Hill.
The project was approved by the State government some seven years back when TN Haokip was the Tourism minister, he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the project, construction of a road from the foot of the hill to the top which is 1.8 km long was initiated today.
According to the MLA Rs 1.8 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the road.
SE Subhash said the department is taking advice and suggestions from experts all over the world for erecting the 110 feet long statue on the hill-top.
He said for the construction of the statue, the department has already engaged a firm from Mumbai. The department will be sending a prototype of the statue to the firm in another two-three days.
Subash said it is a challenging and difficult task as we have to erect the statue of a polo player riding a horse standing on its hind legs and his front legs kicking in the air.
He said the design of the statue has been drawn in 3D autocrat software.
Since, transportation of construction materials to the hilltop will be the main problem, we are starting with construction of the road this morning, he said.
This will be the tallest equestrian statue in the country, he said.
The MLA was also accompanied by Pradhan of Heingang, construction committee, Forest officials and contractor of the project and supporters.
