SHILLONG: As debates over better aerial connectivity and viability of railways pick up pace, there is less discussion on improving road connectivity between Shillong and other parts of the northeastern region, including the nearby Assam.
Hundreds of tourists coming from the neighbouring state complain that there should be better public transportation from Shillong to different parts of Assam as not many can afford to book private vehicles. Several tourists spoke to The Shillong Times, but on condition of anonymity, and narrated their difficulty in reaching the closest hill city. One tourist said he recently went to the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) counter at the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) office in Police Bazar to enquire about bus service to Tezpur (Assam). He was told that the service has been stopped. Later, he learnt from local shop owners that there was one bus to Tezpur that left on the day.
Not many options
Many private travel agencies here do not have bus service to important parts of Assam such as Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur. It may be mentioned that MTC is operating its services from Shillong to Silchar and Hailakandi and many private buses which come from Guwahati pick up passengers from Shillong on their way to Silchar, Agartala and others places.
Few buses are also available from Shillong to other places of the region such as Kohima, Imphal and Aizawl.
Siliguri well connected
On the other hand, Shillong is connected to Siliguri, which is considered to be the gateway to the North East. The owner of a travelling agency in Siliguri said altogether 10 buses operate between Shillong and Siliguri and vice versa everyday.
The owner said the passengers who use buses are less right now simply due to the coal mining factor.
Leaving apart the neighbouring states, few buses from Shillong also leave for Garo Hills region like Tura on a daily basis and good numbers of Sumos are also available for people to travel to Garo Hills from Shillong early in the morning.