Transport Dept unlikely to get adequate buses for polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 14 2016: As the number of buses operating in the State has declined considerably, the State Transport Department may be unable to assemble all the buses demanded by the Election Commission for the 11th Manipur State Assembly election.

An independent survey conducted.

The Sangai Express found that only around 137 buses with seat capacities of 55 to 60 are operating in the State .

Out of them, around 50 buses are operating on Imphal-Kakching, Imphal-Sugnu, Imphal- Chakpi- karong, Imphal-Serou, Imphal-Wangoo and Imphal-Chandel routes which are collectively known as Indo-Burma-Sugnu road.

Earlier, around 116 buses were operating on these routes.

Transport Dept unlikely to get adequate buses for polls

The decline in the number of buses is more dramatic along Tiddim Road.

Around 500 buses were operating on this route but only around 35 buses are operating now on Imphal-Churachandpur, Imphal-Moirang and Imphal-Kumbi routes, collectively known as Tiddim Road.

27 buses are operating on Imphal-Senapati route, 24 buses on Imphal-Kangpokpi route and 21 medium buses are operating between Imphal and Motbung.

Only around five/six buses are operating between Imphal and Ukhrul.

Most of the buses with seat capacities of 55 to 60 have literally ceased passenger service in the last 10 years or so.

Although buses were the most popular means of public transport at one point of time, no bus service can be seen on Imphal-Lilong, Imphal-Irilbung, Imphal-Lamlong, Tinsid Road, Imphal-Lamlai, Imphal-Pangei, Imphal-Koi-rengei, Imphal-Leimakhong, Imphal-Kangchup, Imphal-Keithelmanbi and Imphal- Sekmai routes.

Apart from these private buses, semi-low floor buses given by the Ministry of Urban Development under JNURM are also sitting idle as they were found to be economically not viable.

Some functionaries of passenger bus organisations which were once thriving told The Sangai Express that Winger vans, Tata Magic vans and diesel autos are responsible for the disappearance of passenger bus service.

Transport Department did not exercise any restraint while issuing permits to these light passenger vehicles.

The Election Commission may be demanding 200 to 300 buses for the State Assembly election.

The number of buses needed would be much higher if the election is held in a single phase.

Transport Department would find it very hard to requisition such a large number of buses, they said.

The department faced a very tough time during the last election too.

The buses which ferried security forces  from Dimapur had to turn back to Dimapur soon after reaching Imphal.

The drivers did not get even one hour’s rest.

Some buses made as many three trips.

Given the limited number of buses available for the State Assembly election, the Transport Department need to ponder whether election officials and security forces can be ferried in Winger vans, Tata Magi vans and diesel autos before it is too late, they added.