One-day brainstorming meeting to work out model unified building bye-laws for Imphal West townships was organized by the Manipur Architects’ Forum (MAF) in association with Mayang Imphal Municipal Council under the guidance of the Town Planning Department of Manipur at Leiba Khuman Multipurpose Hall, Thana Awang Leikai, Mayang Imphal today.
Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency MLA Kongkham Robindro was the Chief Guest whereas the Guest of Honor of the programme was the MAF President Geetkumar Nepram. Among others, Ningthongbam Benju, Caretaker Chairperson of Mayang Imphal Municipal Council Asem Radhamani, Caretaker Chairperson of Samurou Municipal Council Leihaothabam Nonibala, Caretaker Chairperson of Wangoi Municipal Council Thoudam Pratap and Yumnam Jamuna of Thongkhong Luxmi Bazar participated in the brainstorming meeting.
In his speech, MLA K. Robindro informed that due to unplanned construction, residents are facing many problems including water logging and drainage problem during rainy season. He said such problems arose due to lack of proper planning and implementation of building laws.
He said the present initiative should not be viewed merely as an effort to formulate another set of rules, but as a necessary step towards ensuring planned urban development and protecting the interests of future generations.
Referring to demolition and eviction drives being carried out in several metropolitan areas, Robindro said such measures were not necessarily the result of the policies of any particular government, but were often the consequence of violations of existing laws and encroachment on protected or restricted areas. He stressed the need to prevent such problems through proper planning and enforcement.
He said a roadmap for town planning in the Mayang Imphal Municipal Council area was being prepared with a long-term perspective of 20 to 30 years. He called upon the people, civil society organisations, clubs and other stakeholders to participate actively in the planning process to transform Mayang Imphal into a better-planned town.
He also sought public cooperation for proposed developmental initiatives, including the establishment of a training centre under the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) and construction of a more functional municipal office building.
Participants at the brainstorming session discussed the need for effective implementation of building bye-laws in urban areas, the types of regulations appropriate for Manipur and measures required to make the proposed bye-laws comprehensive and practical.
Participants further called for greater involvement of municipal authorities, concerned government departments, architects, technical experts, civil society organisations and local stakeholders in framing and implementing the regulations.
Around 100 people, including caretaker councillors from different municipalities, stakeholders and representatives of various civil society organisations, took part in the session.