ISBT continues to stink, kick up dust
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2026: The Khuman Lampak Inter State Bus Terminus has been recommissioned, but not renovated to make it a proper station and its operations seamless.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recommissioned the ISBT on January 22.Yet, the station is lacking even the basic infrastructure.

The ground and the roads inside are not paved, and even the toilets are lying in shambles.

"Was the ISBT recommissioned only in namesake to score some points with the people?" Some have even asked, noting the "pathetic" condition of the bus terminus.

ISBT continues to stink, kick up dust

Unpaved ground and roads, dust, broken and filthy toilets and urinal basins without a functioning water supply, damaged drainage, broken electric appliances and wires hanging from the roof are some of the things anyone would notice immediately.

"Did the Governor even inspect the campus and inside of the ISBT before he recommissioned it and flagged off several buses on January 22? How was the station recommissioned without even checking whether the toilet complex was functional and hygienic?" asked a driver, who did not want to be named when this reporter inspected the bus terminus.

The ISBT has been recommissioned but it is lacking in all spheres.

It is far from becoming a proper and functional bus terminus, said the driver.

"Only one of the toilets is functional, but is filthy.

Others are either broken or don't have any doors," said another driver.

The bus terminus has been recommissioned, but not even the light bulbs and ceiling fans have been replaced.

The electric bulbs, some switch boxes and ceiling fans are broken and not working, the driver added.

Potholes were filled and floodlights have been installed in some places, but there is no change other than this, said the man.

"We were happy when the PR administration took the step to revive the ISBT, thinking it would improve the infrastructure.

However, not much has changed, much to the dissatisfaction of the drivers as well as the people of the State," said the man.

The dust from the unpaved ground inside the bus terminus has become a health hazard, he added.

On the functioning of the ISBT, the driver said vehicles are not yet allowed to drop passengers and their goods inside the bus terminus.

Passengers board the bus at the gate and goods are loaded there too, he said.

The ISBT Imphal was inaugurated before its completion on December 3, 2011 by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

It became operational after about five years when it was launched on November 13, 2016 .

The bus terminus operated for about two years and went defunct in absence of maintenance until it was recommissioned on January 22, 2026 .