Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Public transport on the Imphal, Dimapur, and Guwahati route finally started again on August 21. It ended a nearly three-year freeze on the service. Two buses and five Wingers moved 125 passengers on the opening day. The route cuts through Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. It pushes into Nagaland before heading toward Guwahati, Assam.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh paved the way for this return. He visited Kangpokpi district on August 8 with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen. He ordered the reopening of National Highways to allow free movement for all residents. The government promised this move to restore normalcy across the region.
Commuters cheered the decision. Passenger Kiyam Kumarjit Singh from Thoubal district credited the state government for the progress. He said, "I hope the renewed service would promote peace, love and harmony among all communities." Nivedita, a traveler from Khundrakpam village in Imphal East, echoed his sentiment. She praised the state for this push toward stability.
Updated at 21st August 2026 at 6:00pm
The service suspension began on May 3, 2023, following the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Previous attempts to clear these roads hit a wall in March last year when a mob attacked a Manipur State Transport bus in Kangpokpi, leaving one person dead and several injured.
NH-2, the primary link between Imphal and Dimapur, remains the preferred route for commuters. Meanwhile, the alternative NH-37 route to southern Assam through the Barak Valley has faced regular disruptions from organized extortion rings.
Updated at 21st August 2026 at 10:01pm
The buses hit Mao Gate by the afternoon on their first run. Onboard travelers called for residents to put the violence behind them. Passenger Kiyam Kumarjit Singh urged his fellow citizens to move on, stating, "Let us all forgive and forget the past."
Official reports confirm the government views the route as a vital link that had been severed by the state's deep crisis. The Chief Minister shared news of the convoy's safe arrival in Senapati through social media shortly after the vehicles reached the district.
Updated at 22nd August 2026 at 1:48am
State officials confirmed the convoy reached Mao Gate by the afternoon on its first run. The government officially framed the reopening as part of its ongoing push to mend the fracture caused by the state's long-running crisis.
Kiyam Kumarjit Singh doubled down on his call for unity among locals. He urged fellow travelers to look ahead, telling others, "Let us all forgive and forget the past."
Updated at 22nd August 2026 at 5:46am
Armed security personnel escorted the two buses and five Wingers through sensitive areas to ensure the convoy reached its destination without incident. The transit represents a shift in state policy to maintain order on the route using active protection for civilian travelers.
While the state touts the reopening as a bridge between fractured communities, the reliance on security teams highlights the lingering friction. Officials emphasize that the move is part of a broader push to mend ties after the ethnic violence that paralyzed the state since May 2023.
Updated at 22nd August 2026 at 5:49pm
The transit project gained momentum on Saturday, August 22, as service continued for a second straight day. Four buses and six Winger vehicles departed the Inter-State Bus Terminal at Khuman Lampak at 10 am, carrying over 200 passengers. This increased turnout followed the safe arrival of the inaugural convoy in Guwahati earlier that morning.
Updated at 22nd August 2026 at 9:49pm
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh flagged the economic relief the restored link provides. He noted the service acts as a buffer against high airfares for students heading to classes outside the state and for residents seeking medical treatment. The Chief Minister cited the ongoing economic strain the crisis placed on daily wage earners since May 2023.
Operations expanded on the second day as the route proved stable. Four buses and six Winger vehicles cleared the Inter-State Bus Terminal at Khuman Lampak at 10 am, carrying over 200 people. This rollout followed confirmation that the 125 passengers from the initial August 21 departure reached Guwahati safely the following morning.
Updated at 23rd August 2026 at 1:48am
The Chief Minister linked the road restoration to broader economic recovery, specifically citing high airfares that have drained the pockets of students studying outside the state and families seeking medical care elsewhere. He noted that the three-year crisis hit daily-wage earners the hardest, making the bus service a vital lifeline for those who cannot afford flight costs.
Separately, the government reported progress in other infrastructure projects during the week. Local officials in Kakching district confirmed that road strengthening works in the Wabagai assembly constituency finished within six months at a cost of 5 crore rupees. Legislators are now weighing a proposal for an additional 10 crore rupees for further upgrades to keep the region moving.
Updated at 23rd August 2026 at 9:50pm
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly welcomed the transit restart, calling the progress an encouraging sign for the state. Sarma posted on X in response to the Manipur government, offering warm greetings to the first wave of travelers who completed the trek to Guwahati. He labeled the restored link as a significant milestone for connectivity across Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam.
Operational data shows the route continues to gain traction, with passenger buses plying the highway for a third consecutive day. Officials report that the early trips have provided a reliable, affordable alternative for those otherwise forced to deal with fluctuating flight costs.
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