Dimapur’s bus service: Citizens’ freedom from auto rickshaw tensions

Dimapur, Sep. 12 (EMN): Citizens of Dimapur commuting from Chumukedima proper to Dimapur proper might get respite from the problems and tension associated with using auto rickshaws. The Nagaland State Transport will be launching a full-fledged bus service sometime in the middle of this month.

The city bus service, initially to travel between Chumukedima and Dimapur, will bring relief to citizens whose anger against the unregulated auto rickshaws and their often illegal and exorbitant fares is not new.

A citizen from Chumukedima area identifying himself as W Ren James expressed high appreciation for the NST for the bus service.

“On a regular auto-rickshaw ride, we pay Rs 40. So, thro and fro, it’s costs us Rs 80 daily, and it is a huge amount for the students since most of the colleges and secondary schools are around this area,” said James. With the reintroduction of the regular NST bus services in between Chumukedima and Dimapur, he said, the public would be greatly relieved both in terms of convenience and in terms of money.

“Even if I have a car, there is this traffic congestion; so, I can take the bus and do my job easily and it will cost me less also,” James said.

When contacted, a senior transport official from Dimapur interacted with Eastern Mirror on condition of strict anonymity. The official said that the department will be launching the bus service later this month.

The Nagaland State Department, according to the official, has received three buses from the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) and the vehicles are currently under ‘restoration’. Once the bus service is introduced, it would greatly help the common people, he said.

The highway between Chumukedima and Dimapur proper is about 14 kilometres in distance. It is one of the most crucial roadways in Nagaland. This stretch crosses several villages, and important educational institutions. Chumukedima is also the home of the Nagaland Police Training Centre, besides being a neighbour to a premier college institution Patkai Christian College.

Hundreds of people travel daily on this vital road, the National Highway-2, on auto-rickshaws, currently the only public transport “service” in the town. With the latest initiative of the Nagaland State Transport to reintroduce regular bus services, daily commuters would get a respite from arguments with auto drivers and dubious auto rickshaw fares. Hopefully.