Imphal-Guwahati Bus Service Runs Smoothly for Second Day

Restoring Essential Arteries Across the Northeast

National Highway 2 serves as the primary ground line of communication connecting landlocked Manipur with Nagaland, Assam, and the broader Indian rail network. Following the onset of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, regular transit along the corridor faced severe restrictions, isolating local communities and forcing residents to rely on expensive commercial air travel.

The reopening follows a joint agreement announced earlier this month by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, and local community representatives in Kangpokpi. The collaborative accord guaranteed unhindered transit for civilian passengers across all community jurisdictions.

State transport authorities confirmed that the initial cohort of 125 passengers who departed Imphal during Friday's inaugural run arrived safely in Guwahati early Saturday morning, validating the security protocols established along the transit corridor.

Relieving Financial Strain on Local Travelers

The return of reliable surface transport provides immediate economic relief to students, medical patients, small-business operators, and daily wage earners who have faced exorbitant airfares between Imphal and regional hubs over the past three years.

Addressing the public, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh highlighted the economic burden that prolonged highway disruptions had imposed on ordinary citizens.

"Airfares between Imphal and Guwahati reached unsustainable levels, acting as an unintended financial penalty on our people," Chief Minister Singh noted. "The resumption of public transit services along NH-2 is a critical step toward restoring basic rights of movement, lowering travel costs, and bringing structural normalcy back to the state."

Security Protocols and Regional Stability

To maintain safety across sensitive transit zones, state security forces and central paramilitary units have coordinated patrol coverage along vulnerable mountain passes in the Kangpokpi and Senapati sectors. Transport officials noted that peaceful transit over consecutive days has significantly bolstered public confidence.

As operations stabilize, the Manipur Transport Department plans to evaluate expanding daily departure schedules from the Khuman Lampak terminal to accommodate growing passenger demand, while continuing close coordination with civil society groups in neighboring states.