Passenger bus service between Imphal and Guwahati via Dimapur resumed on Friday after a suspension of over three years. The service was halted following the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023.
The resumption of the service marks a significant step in the Manipur government’s efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state. It also revives an important public transport link between Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. Two buses and five passenger vehicles carrying 125 passengers departed from the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Khuman Lampak, Imphal, on Friday morning.
According to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the vehicles safely crossed Kangpokpi district and reached Mao Gate without any untoward incident before proceeding towards Senapati and onward to Guwahati through Nagaland. Singh highlighted the safe passage of the passenger vehicles in a social media post, stating that the resumption of the bus service is part of his government’s continued efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
The Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati public transport service had been suspended since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3, 2023. The chief minister’s secretariat described the successful resumption of the interstate passenger service as a significant development amid continuing efforts to restore normalcy in the violence-hit state.
The resumption of the service is expected to ease travel for passengers and restore a vital interstate transport connection after more than three years of disruption caused by the ethnic conflict.
