Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh flagged off the trial run of Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service carrying 27 officials from both state and central governments from the complex of Hotel Imphal, North A.O.C. today.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Works and Transport Minister Dr. Kh.Ratankumar Singh and Secretary (Transport) M. Lakshmikumar Singh also attended the flag off ceremony.
The team led by Director Transport Roshita and IGP Manipur Police Clay Khongsai comprises officials from various State Departments including Transport, PWD, Police, Com. & Ind.,Planning and Medical and six officials of Govt. of India represented by the Ministries of MoRTH, MHA, MEA and Deptt. of Revenue. The representatives from the private Tour operator Seven Sisters Holidays were also included in the team. Chief Engineer PWD M. Lokendro and Addl. Chief Engineer Kh. Temba were amongst the State PWD team.
The distance of Imphal- Mandalay is about 579 Kms. approximately if one takes the Yargyi road which is not all-weather road at present. The date for the trial run was finalised by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) and the Govt. of Myanmar. The trip will go upto Nay-Pyi-Taw covering a total distance of 859 kms where there will be a reception for India, Myanmar and Thailand team after passing through Tamu, Kalay, Monywa and Mandalay. There will be another official reception at Mandalay on Dec. 12 and the team is returning Imphal on Dec. 14.
Briefing the media after the flagging off ceremony the Transport Secretary M. Lakshmikumar Singh said that this will be the final trial run which will sort out certain points like fare rate and other minor things. He added that the India-Myanmar-Thailand(IMT) road agreement which is coming up very soon will boost the bus service which will bring closer the ties between the people of Manipur and the Myanmarese Manipuris and at the same time will open new opportunities for trade and commerce.
The Imphal-Mandalay bus service has been a long cherished dream of the people of Manipur which is intended to bring closer ties between the peoples of Manipur and Myanmar especially Myanmarese Manipuris. It may be recalled that a resolution was passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 1, 2003 for introduction of the bus service between Imphal and Mandalay.
