Night Plaza launched

Pothashang News Service

Imphal, October 2: For the first time Imphal City has witnessed a night plaza, “Imphal Evening” which was launched this evening by the chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh at Khoyathong along the Kangla road.

Large crowd cheered the chief minister while he cuts the launching ribbon.

Biren Singh interacted with many of the food and other variety stall keepers that were opened along the Kangla road stretching from Khoyathong to Raj Bhawan gate.

The Biren Singh government had earlier put that the motive of the introduction the night plaza in Imphal city is to promote night life in the state and to give recreational space to people after working the whole day. It will be a place where they can spend quality leisure time with their families.

The government wishes to depict the state as peaceful and free from militant violence, as any other city with a night life. It also claimed that the law and order situation in the state had improved considerably. It is believed that it would attract tourist in the state with the depiction of peace in the state through the life life.

With the Imphal Evening opened, it will help in expanding night life in Manipur.

This plaza will be opened every Saturdays and Sundays from 7 pm till 10 pm, against the improper night life that ended as late as 9 pm. Of the 110 stalls opened 80 are food stalls.

It will open every day during the 10-day annual Sangai Festival.

The idea behind the night plaza is to give good recreational space to the people which will help improve healthy family life in the city.

“We have been waiting for such an opportune and space for recreation. I am very excited and welcome this step of government”, said Aribam David Sharma who was at the launching venue.

Various departments of the state government have been engaged in a committee for successful implementation of the Imphal Evening.

MAHUD department takes care of overall coordination and implementation of the project, town planning department will be in-charge of prescribing terms and conditions of the stalls, parking, boating, recreational activities. Manipur State Power Distribution Corporation Limited takes care of the decorative illumination of the venue. State police department was instructed for the security and safety of public.

Drinking water, toilet and waste management will be looked after by the IMC. PDA will be in-charge of street furniture and Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association with the department of Youth Affairs and Sports take care for boating and providing of life jackets.

There were huge traffic jams along the alternative roads as the main city road was blocked for the event. However, people at the venue were seen rejoicing at the new recreation space which has food and music.