Movement on NH-2 huge relief for people: Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand

Guwahati

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday (August 22, 2026) said the resumption of bus and commercial vehicle services between Imphal and Guwahati would go a long way in providing relief to people in the State.

People in Manipur, particularly those living in the Imphal Valley, have had to depend on expensive air travel for educational, medical, and other purposes since May 3, 2023, when the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities erupted.

The conflict led to “economic blockades” on National Highway-2 via Nagaland, the preferred route of Manipur’s two lifelines. The other is NH-37, which connects Imphal with Silchar in southern Assam’s Barak Valley.

“The resumption of public road transport services (between Imphal and Guwahati) will provide much-needed relief to our people, particularly students studying outside the State and those travelling for medical treatment,” Mr. Singh said at an official event in Kakching district.

He said the unprecedented crisis in Manipur since May 2023 had caused immense hardship for people across the State, particularly the daily-wage workers. “Public transport services resumed from Friday (August 21) due to the government’s continuous efforts toward restoring peace,” he said.

Officials in Manipur said 125 passengers who left Imphal in two buses and three vans on Friday reached Guwahati safely on Saturday. “Ten more vehicles, carrying more than 200 passengers, left Imphal from the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Khuman Lampak around 10 a.m. today (Saturday),” a Transport Department official said. The second batch of passengers left in four buses and six vans.