Heptulla dedicates to people Imphal & Khongjom tourism project

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla has dedicated to the people the North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom tourism project under Centre's 'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' at Kangla here.

The project which covers two sites - Kangla Fort in Imphal and Khongjom - was taken up in 2015 at an estimated cost of over about Rs 72 crore under the Union Ministry of Tourism, officials said.

Manipur has a rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty and dancing deer Sangai is found only in the floating Keibul Lamjao National Park at Loktak lake, the governor said on the occasion yesterday.

Manipur is the birthplace of modern polo and Nat Sankirtana has been included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Besides, the Ima market, which has around 4,000 women vendors, is the largest women's market in the world, she said.

In terms of connectivity, Heptulla said that several airlines had introduced direct flights between Imphal and New Delhi.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said completion and inauguration of the North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom project was yet another milestone for the state.

Speaking at the occasion, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons said that the newly inaugurated project would attract a huge number of visitors to the state generating revenue and income.

Stating that 2017 was a very good year for tourism sector of the country, the minister said that the sector was now contributing over 7 per cent to the GDP and 12.36 per cent to the employment sector.

Alphons also read out a message of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inauguration of the project.