Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh Tuesday launched and flagged off the Somdal – Imphal Manipur State Transport (MST) Bus Service from the MST Complex, Moirangkhom.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that the launching of a bus service might be a small programme but it could be taken as a big step towards filling the communication and developmental gaps between different parts of the State. Maintaining person-to-person communication and sharing ideas, getting in touch with one another among different communities would bring equality to the State, he added.
Maintaining that the State Government had been putting in maximum effort to bring development, N. Biren said that the State has witnessed drastic changes in hill areas with the improvement in road infrastructure, security, education and health sector among others.
Stressing the importance of quality control in the construction work in Pettigrew College of Ukhrul District which had been going on in full swing, he appealed to the public not to make any disturbance that would hinder the construction work. He further expressed the desire and efforts of the Government to bring up the College to the University level.
The Chief Minister informed that the erstwhile Manipur State Road Transport Corporation, which had remained non-functional for a long time, was revived as Manipur State Transport (MST) with the objective of facilitating the public with an accessible low cost transport across the State.
Currently, the MST buses are plying on 21 different roads which will be increased to 22 including Somdal – Imphal bus service launched today. He appealed to the public not to create any disturbance in any road construction works as proper road infrastructure is of utmost importance to bring equal development in all areas of the State. With equal development, there will be a prevalence of peace and healthy relationships among different communities, he added.
Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh; Transport Minister, Khashim Vashum; officials of Transport Department and Manipur State Transport and village chiefs of Ukhrul District also attended the launching programme among others.
The Somdal to Imphal bus will depart Somdal Village for Imphal at 7:00 a.m. and will depart ISBT, Imphal for Somdal at 1:00 p.m. on every working day. The bus fare for the same will be Rs. 200.
