MAHUD to organise night plaza in the state

Our Correspondent Imphal, Sep. 28 (EMN): Hectic preparation is on for the formal launching of upcoming ‘Night Plaza’ in the state capital from Oct. 2. The Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) is planning to accommodate 80 mobile food stalls including 40 stalls for indigenous foods and 25 fast foods besides around 20 sales and entertainment mobile stalls along the 1 kilometre roadside of historic Kangla moat in the heart of Imphal town, according official sources. Considering the public necessity to have a leisure and recreational life, the BJP led government in Manipur is all set to introduce ‘Night Plaza’, a permanent feature to provide “a good recreational space” for the people of all walks in Imphal from next month. The night plaza will be opened for 3 hours starting from 7pm along the roadside of Kangla moat starting from Governor’s gate to Khoyathong PWD office junction road stretch on every Saturday and Sunday. Local delicacies, acoustic shows and other recreational activities besides boating on the Kangla moat will be main attraction of the upcoming plaza. Evening entertainment will also be introduced, says a senior official of MAHUD. The department is hoping that the nearby market places will also illuminate in the evening once the plaza is introduced in the state capital. On the other hand the Manipur State Power Development Corporation limited (MSPDCL) has started installations of various power points along the said route since the last few days to colourfully illuminate the Kangla moat and pavement. “It will require not less than 200 kilowatt of power supply for it,” feels a staff of MSPDCL. “For this we are upgrading existing capacity of the transformer stationed at Kanga moat.” According to MAHUD Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar, the step has been taken up considering that recreation is an essential part of city life with the improvement of the law and order situation in state. Besides this will help in improving family life in city and also it will encourage extension of business hour in the city to improve state’s overall economy. At this juncture, opposition Congress party strongly reacted to the ruling BJP led coalition government’s move to introduce a space of nightlife after the sunset. Spokes person Kh Joykishan of Manipur Prdaesh Congress Committee on Wednesday expressed the apprehension that the drink joints in and around Imphal town will create more problem in the upcoming ‘Night Plaza’. However the observers opined that anything could be stopped if it is against the wish of the people.