Restore or repair Thong Nambonbi: Khwairamband women vendor Lup

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 16 : Khwairamband Keithel Sinpham and Saktam Kanba Lup secretary Thingujam Rani has lamented the ignorance of the State Government towards Thong Nambonbi and decried the failure to take up any measures to renovate the said bridge, which was built over Nambul river, since the period of Chandrakirti Maharaj (1850-1886).
It can be mentioned that after the State Government banned people from using Thong Nambonbi as it developed cracks and holes some time back, the bridge has been lying unattended with ropes blocking the passage of the bridge, she said and added that it is disheartening to see an ancient structure of the State broken and neglected.
Rani urged the State Government and the authorities concerned to either build a new structure of the same model or repair the existing bridge.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the secretary of the Lup further stated that the bridge is an important landmark for Khwairamband Keithel and it is disheartening for the people, especially the women vendors to witness the bridge not getting any care.
Although the bridge was renovated earlier, the bridge recently developed cracks and holes, she said while urging the State Government to consult experts and either repair the bridge in its form or construct a new bridge by using the original model.
She told The Sangai Express that the issue has been raised by the Lup and other related Lups so as to bring an inclusive and overall development of the Keithel, roads, river, drains, houses and shops.
Maintaining that people dumping waste materials and garbage on the river has polluted the river, she stated that the rapid pollution of Nambul river has further destroyed the image of Thong Nambonbi while urging the people not to throw waste materials and garbage to the river.
It is rather embarrassing on the part of the people as well as the State Government when the visiting tourists see only garbage and dirt all around the bridge and its surrounding areas, she asserted.
She urged all to be more responsible in keeping the city neat and clean and be proud of the ancient structures and historical monuments left by the forefathers.
After the Govt prohibited the passage on the bridge, the authorities have only placed some bamboo sticks and ropes to block the passageway. However, this safety procedure can also bring harm to the animals, she added.
Notably, the sign board hung up by Superintendent of Archeological Department states that the Thong Nambonbi, built above Nambol river, was constructed in 1854 AD (during the reign of Chandrakirti Maharaj) and inaugurated by the then Chief Forest Officer  of Manipur in 1855.