Semi low floor buses reach Imphal
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 14, 2011: Security forces of the government demanded money for escorting the imported semi low floor buses to be used in the Imphal Municipal Area under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission, claimed drivers of two buses which arrived today.

The state's security forces were to escort the buses from Mao to Senapati.

The buses were escorted by Army convoys in Assam and Nagaland.

They came on their own from Senapati to Imphal without any security escort.

With the two buses which arrived today, altogether 11 buses have arrived at Imphal till date.

The buses are parked inside the Kangla.

The state government purchased 25 such buses at the cost of 25 lakhs per bus.

State government will bear 50 percent of the amount.

Tata Company is bringing the buses to Imphal on their own expense using their own drivers.

The semi low floor bus is a joint venture of Tata Company and the Brazil-based Marco Polo - global leader in body-building for buses and coaches.

Manipur government has already made a partial payment of the total cost.

The remaining amount will be paid after all the buses reach Imphal.

At present, the 11 buses lying in Kangla are properties of the Tata Company.

After all the 25 buses reached Imphal the Tata Company will hand over the buses to the state government, then only Manipur government will become the lawful owner of the buses.

Each bus has a seat capacity of 80.It is different from the normal buses plying in the state.

These buses do not have a clutch or gears.

The engine of the bus is also in the rear.

The state government will not have the right in the maintenance and servicing of the buses.

Instead, an independent body will hold the right for the maintenance and servicing of the buses.

The independent body has been formed under the name 'Urban Metropolitan Transport Authority' with the Union Transport Minister as its chairman.

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