MST bus service to begin in Ukhrul: Minister Khashim
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, May 30 2022: Transport minister Khashim Vashum has informed that two regular passenger bus services connecting the western Ukhrul region and Imphal city are set to come up very shortly.

"One coach will connect the route from Somdal village to Imphal city and the other from Imphal to Hoomi via Ukhrul district headquarters," said the minister, while speaking during a reception function held in Ukhrul town on Monday.

The reception programme was organised by Raphei Wungnao (RW), village chiefs' association of Northern Ukhrul, to felicitate the minister and his wife Planning Vashum at TTA Hall, Hamleikhong.

Khashim Vashum continued that the bus services will be operationalised very shortly to facilitate commuters from the interior region and added that the orders for the same were already out.

Introduction of similar service to connect the route from Kachai village to Imphal is also under consideration, he said, adding that: "This will also begin once the road condition there is improved".

Stressing on the importance of road infrastructures, he said that availability of proper road connectivity ensures livelihood of the local population.

He then sought the support and cooperation of all the village authorities and the local populace in connection with the proposed construction of Jessami to Kohima highway so that works could be executed without any hindrances.

Khashim Vashum, who also holds the animal husbandry & veterinary portfolio, made a clarion call to the local farmers of Ukhrul district for producing sufficient volume of indigenous products for the local market in order to abate dependency on imported goods.

"We need to be self-reliant by producing more local products for the local market and do away with our habitual dependency on imported products," he said.

He said that during his recent visit to the Ava Market, he was sad to find most of the local vendors selling products imported from outside.

"Ukhrul district is well known for bountiful production of plum.

In the same way, we can produce many of our indigenous products like fruits, vegetables and also livestock for the local market, " he said.

He encouraged the local farmers to take up intensive farming of different indigenous crops, fruits and commercial livestock in order to make the district self-reliant.

"Our forefathers left us with good work culture and fertile lands.

We cannot afford to remain dependent of others when we have the same capabilities", he contended.

During the felicitation function, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) president SA Ramnganing administered a ritual of invocation seeking divine blessing for minister Khashim Vashum on behalf of the Raphei Wungnao and all the village chiefs and,people of the northern Ukhrul region.

In his speech, TNL president David K Shimray said that it was a fulfilment of God's will, while referring to the elevation of Khashim Vashum to a cabinet minister after winning the election for the second time.

Raphei Wungnao chairman Somi Kasomwo said that the rationale for organising the felicitation function was to receive and seek blessing for minister Khashim Vashum, who is the first legislator to become a minister after a gap of over 20 years in the Chingai Assembly Constituency.

Former RW chairman Wungpam Lungranwo, Ato Longphang chairman Dearson Chamroy, TSL president L Thingreiphi and TKS president Shimri Raising also spoke on the occasion and wished minister Khashim a bright future.

Chingai headman Ka-phungkan K Shimray uttered the Tangkhul Raphei traditional chanting to symbolise victory, while congratulating Khashim Vashum.

Elders of Kuirei village also presented a folk song in honour of the minister during the function which was attended by village chiefs, representatives from all the village authorities of the Raphei region.

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