Oil tankers vacate ISBT, leave it filthy, messy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2015: Even though IOC's oil tankers have vacated Khuman Lampak's Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT), the condition of the bus terminus is disgustingly filthy and messy.

The ISBT was constructed with the lion's share of the construction cost funded by DoNER Ministry.

When DoNER Ministry invested around Rs 30 crore, the State Government produced Rs 4.2 crore for construction of the ISBT.

There is a guideline that most of the projects funded by DoNER Ministry should benefit multiple States rather than restricting all the benefits of the projects to the home States.

It was in line with this guideline that the Khuman Lampak ISBT was constructed with a view to benefit all the inter-State passenger buses operating in the North East region.

Construction work of the ISBT started in 2008 and it was inaugurated on December 3, 2011 by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi even though the project was not fully complete.

Human excreta strewn around the ISBT complex

All oil tankers requisitioned by IOC were accommodated at the ISBT in the wake of the three-months highway blockade imposed by Sadar Hills District Demand Committee in 2012 .

The oil tankers which have been occupying the ISBT for the past two years or so vacated the bus terminus at the instruction of Chief Minister O Ibobi on January 18 .

Along with the oil tankers, all the noise and din which filled the ISBT complex have gone.

The whole complex is very quiet and serene now.

Moreover, the roads leading to bus bays have all broken down.

The main building which would serve as ticket counter is also filled with cobwebs.

Walls have been stained with smoke because of cooking by oil tankers near the walls.

After all the toilets located in the posterior section of the complex were filled up by human excreta, the green rooms which would serve as ticket counters were used for defecation.

Now the green rooms are all strewn with human excreta.

Some of the glass planes fitted in the ticket counters have broken.

Some portions of the main building which have been already electrified need repairing.

Given the worn out sections and the need to develop modern infrastructure, the Khuman Lampak ISBT is not in a condition to be commissioned any time soon.

According to information received from Public Works Department, only Rs six lakh remains to be released by DoNER while the State Government is yet to release Rs 50 lakh.

Repairing of worn out sections and renovation of the ISBT to make it more impressive in view of the presence of Khuman Lampak Sports complex and Classic Grand (luxury hotel) would certainly require additional funds.

As such, there is a growing need to lobby with the DoNER Ministry so that additional funds are sanctioned for renovation of the bus terminus.