Says approach roads repairing to be completed well in time
IMPHAL, November 4: There has been no confirmation from the Prime Minister Office to the State government’s invitation for the Prime Minister to inaugurate the Manipur Sangai Festival, 2014 or be present at the closing function, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said this afternoon.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of an inspection trip to the City Convention Centre, Ibobi said the PMO has however inquired about the merits of the festival.
He elaborated that the PMO seem to be considering the invitation and monitoring the quality and merits of the festival before providing a reply.
Although there is still no confirmation, the State is nevertheless keen to stay prepared, he added.
Replying to a media query about foreign officials’ participation in the festival, Ibobi said a Chief Minister of Myanmar has already confirmed his presence, while some others have given commitments, but are yet to make any official confirmation.
The Chief Minister also said that repairing works of all approach roads to the Sangai festival main venue from Thumbuthong, Minuthong, Dingku Road and the Khurai Road will be completed before the festival.
Now the widening of the Tiddim Road is a big project and work is in progress, he said.
He said all concerned have been informed to complete the road widening process before April, 2015.
He said this year’s edition of the festival will see some changes from the previous editions.
Altogether 60 stalls will be managed by the Manipur Tourism Forum to showcase Manipur’s handloom and handicraft products, he said.
Coming to the matter of Sanjenthong, he said more than 80 percent construction of the bridge has been completed and what remains now is only the hanger portion which is manufactured only in France and Germany.
Now, the company handling the construction has already ordered the hangers from France, he said.
He said the State has been targeting to complete the construction of the bridge ahead of the Sangai Festival, but unfortunately, certain components of the bridge were not in the hands of the State and had to be imported from outside the country, delaying the construction process considerably.
According to the engineers, once the hangers reach the State, assembling them and setting them up will not even take a month, the Chief Minister said.
Now the lower portion of the bridge has been completed, what remains is the upper portion, he continued.
Coming to the construction of the City Convention Centre, the Chief Minister said it was inaugurated just after its main building was completed and as such other work components including wiring, setting up of sound system, seat arrangement and other interior fittings are continuing till date.
Although it may take some more time before it is complete, the involved engineers are careful to make it of international standard, he said.
The City Convention Centre will be used for the 36th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiation on Oncologist of India which will be starting from November 6.
The Chief Minister said the international conference will see participation of more than 600 and above delegates from different South-East Asian countries.
He said the State government is investing enormous effort to complete the City Convention Centre well in time and make it of international standard.