Tura, Aug 30: The A’chik Students Welfare Organization (ASWA) in Garo Hills on Wednesday dispatched a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar seeking the introduction of a bus service from Selsella to Shillong via Guwahati.
According to the association, people from villages like Selsella, Kalchengpara, Rochonpara, Balachanda, and surrounding areas have been facing difficulties due to the lack of a transport facility in the area.
“The absence of a reliable and efficient transportation system has been causing numerous difficulties for the residents, students, and businesspersons who rely on daily travel to Shillong and Guwahati. The daily commute to Shillong and Guwahati has become a significant challenge for the inhabitants of Selsella and its neighboring areas. The absence of an organized and regular bus service has a particularly adverse impact on students, employees, and business owners,” ASWA President, Sangma said.
According to Sangma, many students pursuing their education in Shillong, as well as in locations beyond Meghalaya, find it incredibly challenging to travel for their studies due to the lack of suitable transportation options. Similarly, employees who need to visit Shillong for work-related matters and business owners seeking to procure goods for their enterprises are also greatly inconvenienced by the lack of a reliable means of transportation, he added.
The absence of proper transportation is reportedly also hampering economic growth in the region, as it limits the ability of residents to engage in trade, education, and employment opportunities outside their immediate vicinity. The introduction of a Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) bus service from Selsella to Shillong via Guwahati would be a significant step towards alleviating these challenges and fostering economic development in the area, he pointed out.
“I kindly urge you to consider this proposal with utmost sincerity and take appropriate action to implement the much-needed bus service at the earliest convenience. The positive impact of such a service on the lives of the people cannot be overstated,” Sangma said, in his appeal to the minister.