Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09, 2010:
Clarifying that a few buses started taking NH 39 as most of the passengers were reluctant to travel along NH 53 due to its deplorable condition, the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association has appealed to lift the restrictions allegedly imposed by PREPAK against opening (bus) counters.
Speaking to media persons at North AOC today, president of the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association, N Kunjakeshore said that it took 7/8 days for a passenger bus to travel from Imphal to Guwahati.
These long and arduous journeys always caused serious hardships to passengers, particularly patients, students and women.
In the face of such difficulties, there were very few passengers who would travel along NH 53 even though passengers buses have been plying along the route.
Subsequently, passengers have been paying vans and other vehicles Rs 800 to Rs 1300 for travelling till Dimapur.
The association, after studying the situation, took a new decision towards resuming Imphal-Guwahati bus service from August 28, Kunjakeshore said.
On September 8, some people who identified themselves as PREPAK cadres rang up the bus counters and asked them (counter operators) if they have no idea that a prohibition on transport service along NH 39 was already in force.
The unidentified persons further directed that no inter-State bus counters should be opened.
Subsequently, all bus counters have been closed.
The continued prohibition on transport service along NH 39 has, however, resulted in serious hardships to transporters, bus owners and inter-State passengers alike, he lamented.