Imphal: The resumption of public transport along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via NH2 continued smoothly on its fifth day, with 268 passengers leaving Imphal in a fleet of 19 vehicles today.
The vehicles comprised 5 buses, 5 Winger vehicles and 9 Scorpio/Bolero vehicles. The convoy departed from Imphal at around 10:10 am this morning.
The continued movement of public transport along NH2 reflects the ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe and smooth travelling of passengers along the route.
Laishram Bhonilal, Joint Secretary of the Interstate Taxi Association, said that the initiative taken by the new government and the Transport Department to restore road transportation after a prolonged period of restricted travel due to the conflict, was a very positive and welcome step.
He said that the resumption of road transportation would greatly benefit passengers of all communities in Manipur, who had been facing difficulties in travelling freely for several years.
Khoirom Binodini, a passenger from Phubala who was travelling to visit her children working in Kohima, said that she had previously travelled by flight, but the high airfare was unaffordable for ordinary people.
“I heard that the government had taken steps to restore road transportation, so I booked a ticket and came here alone. I am not scared. Seeing many passengers travelling together also makes me feel happy,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to the government for taking the initiative, adding, “I once again thank the government for this step.”
Another passenger, Thangjam Brajakishor from Wangjing, said that after being unable to travel freely for the past three to four years due to the conflict, the resumption of road transportation had come as a major relief, particularly for people struggling with the high cost of air travel.
“I used to pay around ₹8,000 for a flight ticket to Guwahati. Now, I can travel to Guwahati for around ₹1,000 and visit my child. This is a huge relief for people like us,” he said.
He thanked the government and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh for the initiative and urged the government to further expand the resumption of road transportation to more routes and destinations.
