Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi on Friday visited Bishnupur district to review the functioning of various departments and assess the implementation of key government schemes.

Chairing a review meeting at the Mini Secretariat Complex, the Minister interacted with Deputy Commissioner Pooja Elangbam, SP Bishnupur, ADM, SDOs, BDOs, and other district-level officers.

The DC presented a detailed report on the district’s tourism potential, showcasing major attractions such as Loktak Lake, Sangai Ethnic Park, Khoriphaba Temple, Loukoi Pat, Red Hill & India Peace Memorial, Maibam Lokpa Ching, Vishnu Temple, INA Memorial Complex, and the INA War Museum. The ongoing development of Karang as a Model Digital Island was highlighted as a key initiative.

Suresh Gopi stressed the need to develop Loktak Lake into a world-class destination to boost revenue and attract global tourists. Departments including Health, Education, Agriculture, Power, and Minor Irrigation gave detailed presentations on their activities, to which the Minister offered strategic suggestions aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision for a transformed Northeast.

In the health sector, he urged greater focus on infant mortality, sickle cell anaemia, and malaria. On education, he called for special training programmes to enhance teachers’ skills, improve school quality, and boost enrolment, alongside discussions on cook-cum-helpers’ roles and honorarium.

For agriculture, the Minister recommended strengthening the fertilizer distribution system, gathering farmer feedback, and increasing millet production to support nutrition goals. He also reviewed the ODF initiative and emphasised health, food, and education as the foundations of progress, assuring full support for the district’s development.

Following the meeting, Suresh Gopi inspected Bishnupur District Hospital, interacting with patients and reviewing facilities. He also paid floral tributes at the Indian Peace Memorial, Maibam Lokpa Ching, and visited the Imphal Peace Museum.