Manipur CM: NH-2 bus services resumption a 'huge relief' for people
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday said the resumption of bus and commercial vehicle services between Imphal and Guwahati would provide significant relief to people in the state, particularly those who have been dependent on expensive air travel since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.
Speaking at an official event in Kakching district, Mr. Singh noted that the resumption of public road transport services would be especially beneficial for students studying outside Manipur and individuals travelling for medical treatment. “The resumption of public road transport services will provide much-needed relief to our people,” he said.
The conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, which erupted on May 3, 2023, led to economic blockades on National Highway-2 (NH-2) via Nagaland and NH-37, which connects Imphal to Silchar in Assam's Barak Valley. These two highways are widely regarded as Manipur's lifelines, and their disruption forced residents of the Imphal Valley to rely heavily on costlier air travel for educational, medical, and other essential needs.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the immense hardship caused by the crisis, particularly for daily-wage workers. “Public transport services resumed from Friday (August 21) due to the government's continuous efforts toward restoring peace,” he said, referring to the initial batch of vehicles that departed Imphal.
Official sources from Manipur's Transport Department said 125 passengers who left Imphal in two buses and three vans on Friday reached Guwahati safely on Saturday. The second batch, comprising four buses and six vans carrying more than 200 passengers, departed from the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Khuman Lampak around 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The return of road connectivity on NH-2 is expected to ease the financial burden on families and improve access to services available in Guwahati, a major regional hub. For many residents, the route remains essential for daily commerce, education, and healthcare, and its reopening marks a step toward normalcy in the region, though the overall security situation remains complex.
The Chief Minister's remarks at the Kakching event underscore the state government's efforts to restore essential services while continuing to address the underlying tensions. The resumption has been described as a positive development for the state's residents, who have endured more than three years of transportation disruption.
