Resumption of inter-state bus services to ease travel burden on Manipur people: CM

Imphal, Aug 22 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, taking serious note of the high airfares between Imphal and Guwahati, said the resumption of inter-state passenger bus services would provide much-needed relief to people, particularly students studying outside the state and those travelling for medical treatment.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the strengthening works of Wabagai Higher Secondary School in Kakching District, under the Samagra Shiksha Manipur on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering and speaking on the adverse effects of the unprecedented ethnic violence that began in May 2023 in the state, he said that the ethnic crisis has caused immense hardships to the lives of people across the state, particularly the daily wage earners. Following the government’s continuous efforts towards restoring peace and normalcy, public transport services have resumed from Friday, he said.

Meanwhile, the resumption of public transport services along the Imphal–Dimapur (Nagaland)–Guwahati National Highway (NH-2) continued smoothly for the second consecutive day on Saturday, with no untoward incident reported.

A senior Manipur Transport Department official said that more than 200 passengers travelled from Imphal in a fleet of four buses and six Winger vehicles and passed through the mountainous Kangpokpi, a predominantly Kuki-inhabited district, and Senapati, a Naga-inhabited district, without facing any problem.

The Chief Minister recalled his visit to the Wabagai Higher Secondary School in Kakching District in May 2023 after visiting Sugnu town and stated that the school has undergone significant positive changes and witnessed considerable improvement since then. He further informed that, within a span of six months, strengthening of roads within the Wabagai Assembly Constituency has been completed with an estimated cost of Rs 5 crores.

Khemchand Singh added that a new proposal for further strengthening of the roads with an estimated cost of around Rs 10 crores, has been received and will be considered.

Addressing the gathering, local MLA of Wabagai Assembly Constituency Dr Usham Deben Singh stated that development of his Constituency had been hindered by the ethnic violence that persisted for more than three years. He announced that the construction of a bridge under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) would be completed soon under the guidance of the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister also inspected the newly constructed facilities at the school. With the addition of Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories along with separate boy’s and girl’s toilets, the school will provide the students with better facilities and a more conducive learning environment.

The inaugural programme was attended by Angeline Renita R., Deputy Commissioner of Kakching District; Chief Engineer, Education (School), Y. Bhouchou Singh; students and teachers, among others.

–IANS

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