By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The wait for the JNNURM bus to ply the city roads is finally over as the State Government is set to launch the bus service on Friday.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will flag off 10-20 buses at a small gathering at the MTC office at Khyndailad, sources in the Transport department said on Thursday.
The Urban Affairs department has already handed over 40 buses to the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC).
The buses will initially ply the Greater Shillong routes covering areas like NEHU, Mawryngkneng and Upper Shillong.
“We are very happy to launch these buses as the aspirations of the people have been fulfilled,” Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said on Thursday.
All the 40 buses, granted to the State under the JNNURM, are fitted with ticketing machines besides other modern equipment.
Lyngdoh said the buses would cause traffic snarls initially but the people need to cooperate with the Government as these buses are being launched hurriedly on public demand.
The Minister also requested the passengers to get on and off buses at embarkation and disembarkation points to avoid further traffic jams in the city.
“Besides, people should maintain cleanliness by not rubbing lime and spiting inside the buses,” the minister said over the phone from New Delhi.
The Central Government had sanctioned 120 buses for the State under the JNNURM and the next batch of the remaining buses would be released once the 40 buses start plying.
Twenty of the 120 buses, which are of bigger size, would cater to the rural and far-flung areas of the State.
So far, 45 drivers and equal number of conductors have been appointed and trained to operate the existing 40 buses.
When contacted, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh said traffic personnel have been briefed on the possible traffic snarls to be caused by these buses during the initial days.
The buses would not be allowed to stop anywhere which might aggravate the traffic problem, he added.
