Imphal-Kasom Khullen bus service launched
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2023:
A regular bus service between Imphal and Kasom Khullen was launched today.
The bus service operated by the Manipur State Transport (MST) was launched by Transport Minister Khasim Vashum from MST office, Moirangkhom.
Speaking at the event, Khasim Vashum appealed to all the people, specially those settled along the Imphal-Kasom Khullen bus route to support the service and take it as their personal asset.
Although Imphal-Yairipok-Kasom Khullen road was in a very bad shape at one time, it is now in a much better condition after the same road was developed with a loan from the Asian Development Bank, the Transport Minister remarked.
Earlier no one believed that there would be a passenger bus service between Imphal and Kasom Khullen.
As the road is now much better, it does not take long for one to go from Imphal to Kasom Khullen and vice versa, he said.
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With the primary objective of fostering closer relationship and interaction between the hill people and plain people, Chief Minister N Biren gave consent to the Imphal-Kasom Khullen bus service without giving much thought to its financial viability, Khasim Vashum said.
It needs cooperation and support from the people of Kasom Khullen in ensuring that the Imphal-Kasom Khullen bus service continues for a long time, he said.
Although Transport Department is a very small department with an annual budget of just around Rs 58 crore, it has a very big responsibility.
The department has been working hard to introduce bus services to different remote areas of the State one after another, the Transport Minister said.
The department would see whether the Imphal-Kasom Khullen bus service can be extended to Nambashi and Bungtung, he said.
The Imphal-Mao bus service which was launched recently is a big success, he claimed.
Phungyar AC MLA K Leishiyo who attended the flagging off ceremony said that introduction of bus service between Imphal and Kasom Khullen via Yairipok is a big moment for the southern Tangkhuls.
Transport Secretary Michael Achom, Director Dr Nivedita Lairenlakpam, Deputy Director Dr David Elangbam, Kasom Khullen village chief Wungwung Shinglai, representatives of Southern Tangkhul Naga Students' Union, office bearers of Kasom Development Association, Aze Longphang and Kasom Village Authority were also present at the flagging off ceremony.