IMPHAL, Dec 9 - A trial run of Imphal-Mandalay bus service was flagged off by Manipur Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh here on Wednesday.
A 27-member team of officials from both State and Central Governments will study the condition of the 579 km long route via Tamu, Kalay, Monywa till Mandalay in Myanmar to boost connectivity with neighbouring South Asian countries. Currently there is no direct road link between India and Myanmar. One has to first fly to Bangkok and then to either Yangon or Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar.
�This will be the final trial run to sort out certain matters like fare rates,� said Transport Secretary M Lakshmikumar Singh. �The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) road agreement which is coming up very soon will boost the bus service which will bring about closer ties between Manipur and Myanmar and at the same time open new opportunities for trade and commerce�, he added.
The team will drive till Myanmar�s capital Nay-Pyi-Taw covering a distance of 859 km where there will be a reception for India, Myanmar and Thailand teams. There will be another official reception at Mandalay on December 12. The team is scheduled to return to Imphal on December 14.
