India 2018

628 India 2018
of handloom workers. There are 218,753 handloom workers (200,607 weavers,
18, 146 workers) which is 4th position among the top states of the country,
1,90,634 looms which is 3rd position and consuming 186,703 kg of yarn KVIC/
private owners. Manipur is, therefore, among the top four states of the country
promoting and nurturing the handloom industry for generating employment
to a large section of the state’s population.
Power
Power supply in Manipur is fully dependent on the Central Generating Stations
situated in the North Eastern Region (NER). As the generating stations in the
NER are mainly of hydel in nature, during lean period there is a shortfall in
generation and therefore the available share of Manipur reduces drastically.
Transport
Roads: Road transport is the only means of communication in the state and
there are no inland waterways, railways or ropeways. All development
activities depend entirely on the road transport facilities. Three national
highways : i) NH-39, ii) NH-53 and iii) NH-150 criss-cross the state connecting
all districts. Imphal, the capital is connected by NH-39 with Nagaland on the
north and Myanmar on the east, on the west with Assam by NH-53 and
Mizoram on the south by NH-150.
Aviation : Imphal airport is the second largest airport in the north eastern region,
which is connected to Agartala, Aizwal, Dimapur, Guwahati, Kolkata, Pune,
Silchar, Bengaluru and New Delhi.
Railways: The state was included in the railway map of India with the opening
of a rail head at Jiribam in 1990. It is 225 km from Imphal. Dimapur (Nagaland),
215 km from Imphal is the nearest rail-head. The Jiribam - Tupul - Imphal
railway line has been declared as a national project. Construction of the line is
in good progress and is targeted for completion by 2014 (upto Tupul) and 2016
(upto Imphal).
Festivals
A year in Manipur represents a cycle of festivals. Hardly a month passes by
without a festival which to the Manipuris is a symbol of their social, cultural
and religious aspirations. Important festivals of the state are Lai Haraoba, Rasa
Leela, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chak-Kouba, Rath-Jatra, Idul Fitr, Imoinu Iratpa, Gaan-
Ngai, Lui-Ngai-Ni, Idul Zuha, Yaoshang (Holi), Durga Puja, Mera Houchongba,
Diwali, Kut, Christmas, etc.
Tourist Centres
Manipur is not only the gateway of the north eastern region but is also a
fascinating destination for discerning tourists. Blessed with a salubrious climate,
natural beauty and scenic splendour, the state extends to the tourists a warm
welcome. Some important tourist centres in the state are Kangla, Shree Shree
Govindajee Temple, Khwalramband Bazar (Ima Keithel), War Cemeteries,