Day: July 19, 2013

Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI, July 19: Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism and Sports of Manipur Mairembam Prithviraj proposed to develop Moreh, border town in Manipur neighbouring Myanmar as mega tourist destination since it became an important place under India’s Look East Policy.
He was speaking at the National Conference of State Tourism Ministers today at Hotel ITC Maurya, Diplomat Enclave here with the Union Minister of Tourism Dr. K. Cheeranjeevi in the chair.
Narrating the request from the Manipuri communities in Myanmar to the Manipur Chief Manipur for the pilgrimage visit at Govindajee Temple in Imphal, Manipur in the recent Regional Business Conclave held at Mandalay in May this year ; Prithviraj drew the attention of the Central authorities for immediate opening of the Visa on arrival facilities at Moreh for Myanmar citizens. He further stated that Myanmarese patients usually came in Manipur for treatment. A team of doctors and attendants of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Imphal led by its Chairman cum Managing Director Dr. Kh. Palin also visited at Monywa in Myanmar and conducted operations on cleft lip patients during the Regional Business conclave in Monywa held in May this year.
In his speech, he highlighted that the state Government wanted to see the successful conclusion of three mega projects namely Integrated Mega Tourist Circuit at Khebaching, Marjing and Kaina; Provision of Tourist Infrastucture in and around Imphal City; and Loktak Lake. He said that revised Detailed Project Reports (DPR)s for Integrated Mega Tourist Circuit at Khebaching, Marjing and Kaina were submitted in September last year. DPR for providing Tourist Infrastucture in and around Imphal City at an approximate cost of Rs 50 crore was also submitted. He mentioned about the Loktak lake that Development of comprehensive Tourist infrastructure including tourist resort, integrated water sports and other tourist facilities in and around Sendra and Takmu abutting Loktak lake was prioritized for the year 2013-14 and DPR at an approximate amount of Rs 50 crore was also submitted to the Ministry of Tourism. He pursued to the Union Minister of Tourism for expediting sanction of the three mega projects at the earliest. He said, “These three projects are expected to change the face of tourism in Manipur”.
Prithviraj also urged the Union Minister of tourism for sanction of the projects prioritized for the year 2013-14. He said that DPRs for five destination projects namely Eco-Tourism cum Water Sports Complex at Maata Mualtam in Churachandpur District, Upgradation of Mughal Garden in Bisnupur District, Integrated tourist destination at Chingkheiching and its adjoining areas in Imphal East District, Integrated tourist destination at Shirui Hills and its adjoining areas in Ukhrul District, and Integrated tourist destination at Kotsophai, Chakpikarong in Chandel District; a mega project namely Development of tourist resort at Sendra hillock and water sports complex at Takmu and other tourist facilities; Manipur Sangai Festival 2013; Publicity and marketing; and Information technology project for promotion of Manipur tourism were already submitted to the Ministry.
He said that Ministry of Tourism also prioritized a Large Revenue Generating Project (LRGP) namely Cable Car and Ropeway from Sendra hillock to Thanga Island in Loktak lake for the year 2013-14. DPR at an approximate cost of Rs 80 crore was currently under financial vetting by National Institute of Finance Management, Faridabad.
Referring to the Mega circuit identified by TCS namely, Dimapur-Kohima-Mao Gate-Imphal-Loktak including Keibul Lamjao National Park- Imphal –Moreh-Imphal-Dimapur which was also a prioritized project for 2013-14; the Parliamentary Secretary requested the Ministry to expedite engagement of the State level Project Monitoring Agency for Manipur State.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/national-conference-of-state-tourism-ministers-held/