Inter-state public transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via National Highway-2 (NH-2) continued without disruption for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, with 268 passengers — including women — departing Imphal in a convoy of 19 vehicles, according to officials. The smooth passage marks a significant milestone in Manipur's gradual return to normalcy following over three years of ethnic strife.

Fleet and Route Details

The convoy comprised five buses, five Winger vehicles, and nine Scorpio/Bolero cars, according to a Transport Department official. The vehicles departed from Imphal on Wednesday morning and passed through the mountainous Kangpokpi district — a predominantly Kuki-inhabited area — and Senapati district, a Naga-inhabited region, without incident. The route connects Manipur to Nagaland and Assam, two of the state's critical overland links to the rest of the country.

Why This Resumption Matters

Inter-state passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland had remained suspended for more than three years following the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribal communities on 3 May 2023. Services were formally resumed on 21 August 2025. The disruption had forced residents to rely on air travel, with flight tickets to Guwahati costing passengers around ₹8,000 — a sum that placed routine travel out of reach for many ordinary families.

Passengers Speak

Khoirom Binodini, a passenger from Phubala travelling to meet her children working in Kohima, said she had previously been compelled to fly due to the road closure. 'I heard that the government had taken steps to restore road transportation, so I booked a ticket and came here alone. I am not scared. Seeing many passengers travelling together also makes me feel happy,' she said, expressing gratitude to the Manipur government.

Thangjam Brajakishor from Wangjing described the resumption as a major financial relief. 'I used to pay around ₹8,000 for a flight ticket to Guwahati. Now, I can travel to Guwahati for around ₹1,000 and visit my child. This is a huge relief for people like us,' he said. Brajakishor also thanked Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and urged the state government to extend road connectivity to additional routes.

Government's Role and Political Context

Interstate Taxi Association Joint Secretary Laishram Bhonilal called the initiative a 'very positive and welcome step', crediting the new government and the Transport Department for restoring road transportation after a prolonged disruption. The groundwork for the reopening was laid on 8 August 2025, when Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, along with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and local MLA Haokholet Kipgen, visited Kangpokpi district and announced the reopening of national highways for free movement of all communities.

What Comes Next

With NH-2 and NH-37 — the Imphal-Jiribam corridor — serving as Manipur's two primary overland lifelines, the sustained operation of inter-state services will be closely watched as a barometer of ground-level peace. Residents and transport associations are now pressing for expanded services to more routes and destinations, signalling that demand for affordable road connectivity remains high across communities.