Imphal: The 44 Assam Rifles on Wednesday inaugurated a new air lounge named after freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu at Manipur’s Tamenglong district.
Lt Col Mohit Vaishnava, PRO (Defence) said Tamenglong town is connected to Imphal by a civil helicopter service with a helipad within the 44 Assam Rifles Camp.
The passengers didn’t have any safe waiting area away from the helipad, making the presence of vehicles and passengers dangerously close to the helipad. To further strengthen the safety measures at helipad 44 Assam Rifles under HQ 22 Sector AR/ IGAR (East) constructed Rani Gaidinliu Open Air Lounge close to Helipad.
The structure is a concentric semi circular structure with outer rectangular flower beds supported by local bamboo craft as boundary wall. The green plants depict the vivid flora of Tamenglong with flower beds depicting the four cardinal directions of district boundaries. The central arena has three semi circular beds.
The outer semi circular bed with ornamental plants depicts the vast jungles of the district as Prakrti Chakra. The middle raised semi- circle depicts the vibrant culture and heritage of the area as Sanskriti Chakra. The inner raised semi circle with the name of Rani Gaidinliu inscribed on it depicts the bravery and valour of this soil as Veerta Chakra.
The lounge has basic facilities for passengers to wait for boarding/ deboarding the helicopter. This facility was inaugurated as a New Year gift to the locals of Tamenglong by DIG, 22 Sector AR. The plants for landscaping have been collected from various parts of the district. On the bamboo craft walls the visitors shall have a glimpse of vivid culture of the district including important places of tourist interest.
There is a provision of lighting up the lounge area in the evening. This facility shall not only ease the passengers waiting time but, shall enhance the passengers safety around the helipad.
