Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi flagged off the much awaited trial run of the Imphal-Mandalay bus service from Hotel Imphal today.
The trial of the bus service was finally flagged off after continuous efforts by the Governments of Myanmar and India. It is expected that once this bus service is activated formally for the public, it will go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Twenty-seven officials from different departments of the Manipur Government took part in the first ever trial run of Imphal-Mandalay bus service on Wednesday.
Officials from THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of External Affairs representing Government of India will also take the travel from Imphal to Myanmar. The delegation will also attend a meeting in Naypyidaw in connection with the trial run.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zone 1 Clay Khongsai, from the Public Works Department (PWD), Chief Engineer Moirangjam Lokendro; Additional Chief Engineer-II Kh Temba; Executive Engineer NEC-II Konsam Premkumar; Executive Engineer National Highway Division No-II Longjam Debendra and Assistant Engineer National Highway Division No-III Yumnam Bochao will also be part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, Officer on Special Duty Ksh Shanta; alongwith the officials of the three ministries of Government of India, were present on the occasion.
The flagging off ceremony of the trial run was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam; Works and Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar; and Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur Shahid Ahmad .
The delegates will reach Moreh and head towards Tamu then Kalewa before holding a night at Kalay on December 9.
On December 10, the team will return back from Kalay to Kalewa and will head towards Monywa via Yagyi road and then to Mandalay.
The team will leave Mandalay for capital Naypyidaw on December 11 and will hold a joint meeting to discuss the Imphal-Mandalay bus service.
The Indian officials will stay the night in Naypyidaw after the meeting and will return to Mandalay on December 12.
Along with the Indian delegation, an official team from Myanmar will then head towards Imphal on a trial run bus service.
The team will reach Imphal on December 14 and the Myanmar delegation members will be felicitated by the Manipur Government.