CM flags off Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 09 2015: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Wednesday flagged off the trial run of Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service carrying 27 officials of both State and Central Government from the Hotel Imphal Complex.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip,; Works and Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh and Secretary (Transport); M Lakshmikumar Singh also attended the flag-off ceremony.

The team led by Director Transport H Roshita and IGP Manipur police Clay Khongsai comprises officials from various State Departments including Transport; PWD; Police; Commerce and Industries; Planning and Medical and six officials of Government of India represented by the Ministries of MoRTH; MHA, MEA and Department of Revenue.

The representatives from the private tour operator Seven Sisters Holidays were also included in the team.

Chief Engineer PWD M Lokendro and Additional Chief Engineer Kh Temba were amongst the State PWD team.

Caption

The distance of Imphal-Mandalay is about 579 km approximately if one takes the Yargyi road which is not all-weather road at present.

The date for the trial run was finalized by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Government of Myanmar.

The trip will go upto Nay-Pyi-Taw covering a total distance of 859 Km where there will be a reception for India, Myanmar and Thailand team after passing through Tamu, Kalay, Monywa and Mandalay.

There will be another official reception at Mandalay on December 12 and the team will return to Imphal on December 14 .

Briefing the media after the fagging off ceremony the Transport Secretary M Lakshmikumar Singh said that this will be the final trial run which will sort out certain points like fair rate and other minor things.

He added that the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) road agreement which is coming up very soon will boost bus service which will bring closer ties between the people of Manipur and Myanmar and at the same time will open new opportunities for trade and commerce.

The Imphal-Mandalay bus service has been a long cherished dream of the people of Manipur which is intended to bring closer ties between the peoples of Manipur and Myanmar especially Myanmarese Manipuris.

It may be recalled that a resolution was passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 1, 2003 for introduction of the bus service between Imphal and Mandalay.