Imphal, October 02, 2017 (DIPR): Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh launched ‘Imphal Evenings’, a weekend plaza on Kanglapat road amidst much fanfare and glittering lights tonight.
A brainchild of Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, the idea behind the plaza is to give recreational space to the people of the State with an aim to improve healthy family life and introduce the culture of night life.
The plaza will be opened on every Saturdays and Sundays from 7 pm to 10 pm without any entry fee on the stretch from Khoyathong junction to Raj Bhawan junction (eastern half of NH-2).
On the first day today, a huge crowd turned up at the plaza and all the stalls had a brisk business.
Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh and MAHUD Minister Shri Th. Shyamkumar graced the launching function as chief guest and president respectively.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Y. Joykumar, PHE Minister Shri L. Dikho, and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ksh. Bhabananda also attended the function as guests of honour.
Speaking at the launching function, Shri N. Biren Singh said that the new initiative had been introduced to present an opportunity to the people to spend some quality time with their families and friends together.
Manipur is being portrayed as a trouble-torn State, and most of the people of other States and countries generally have a wrong notion about Manipur that nobody ventures outside after dusk in the State, he added.
As such, the new Government tried to show to the world that Manipur is no more a trouble-torn place and it can also have a night life, Shri N. Biren said.
He also expressed hope that the plaza would be able to give self employment to many unemployed youths.
Seeking suggestions from the public, the Chief Minister said that the Government would put in effort to make the plaza better and more beautiful.
The Chief Minister added that every type of intoxicant is strictly banned at the plaza.
In his presidential speech, MAHUD Minister Shri Th. Shyamkumar said that the brain behind the plaza is Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh.
Stating that the Chief Minister is a far-sighted and dynamic leader, Shri Th. Shyamkumar said that the Chief Minister never turns down any good endeavour.
He also sought suggestions from the public to make the plaza better and successful.
The Government has earmarked space for 102 stalls at the plaza. However, the Government has received only 92 applications so far.
On the launching day today, only 56 parties turned up to open stalls at the plaza.
40 stalls have been reserved for indigenous food items, 25 for fast food items, 15 branded restaurants and 30 for general stalls.
One police booth each at Khoyathong and Raj Bhavan junctions and two booths at Kangla western gate were opened to monitor security and guide the visitors.
For safety measures, there were booths for medical and Manipur Fire Service personnel. Apart from this, every stall has been instructed to mandatorily keep a fire extinguisher each.
Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) also deputed 30 volunteers at the plaza to assist the visitors, stall owners and police.
Manipur Police Department also deputed 30 plains cloth personnel to assist the crowd and ensure security.
Four points have been reserved for the talented persons who wish to present/showcase their skills at the plaza free of cost.
Mobile toilets are kept at two places for the convenience of the public. On the other hand, 10 bio-toilets have been procured to install at the plaza.
The food stalls were instructed to sell only fresh and healthy edible items approved by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) and State Food Safety Authority.
State Food Safety personnel will regularly monitor the quality of the food items sold at the plaza.
In addition to stalls, boating facility was provided at Kangla moat.
The main task of managing the plaza has been entrusted to Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) Department, and Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA). (DIPR)
