Correspondent
IMPHAL, September 24
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Indo-Myanmar cross border bus service from Imphal-Mandalay is likely to be made operational once the Myanmar authority approves the proposal, according to Manipur Transport minister Dr Khumukcham Ratankumar.
“A high level meeting of officials of the both India and Myanmare was held in June in NayPyi Taw(Myanmar) in this regard,” says Minister Dr Ratankumar. “Once the Myanmar authority approves it will be signed.”
The bus service which was in limbo for about two years, would cover a distance of 579 kilometres between Imphal(Manipur) to Mandalay(Myanmar)in about 14 hours time. Though the fare is yet to be finalized, sources said it would be below Rs 2000.Besides there are also plans to provide visa on arrival facilities on both sides, the state has reached an understanding with Ministry of External affairs to hold passport mela regularly.“The state government has also been urging the centre to repair the poor road and bridges along the said route to facilitate the service,” informs Minister Dr Ratankumar who also holds the works portfolio while speaking during a felicitation function of Myanmarese Medical team at Shija hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal on Wednesday.
Once the service is on it will not only strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries but will boost economic activity in the region, he felt.
Interestingly many Myanmarese patients visits Manipur for medical treatment, according to Dr Kh Palin, Chairman cum Managing Director of Imphal-based private Shija hospitals which recently provides 2 month training on operation theatre technology, critical care and keyhole surgery to two Myanmarese general surgeons and six senior nurses from Monywa General Hospital of Sagaing division with the support of Association of Minimal Access Surgeries of India(AMASI).
Doctors and nurses of Shija hospitals in a move to make Manipur a destination for medical tourism in Southeast Asia, had conducted three Myanmar missions in May and December 2013 followed by another in March this year wherein more than 300 cleft-lip, cleft palate, laparoscopic surgeries and cataract operations were conducted at Myanmar Hospitals, he added.
Supporting the initiative of Shija hospitals, AMASI President Dr Dilip Gode attending the felicitation of Myanmar medical team, said that it’s not only giving training but developing a bilateral relationship with the neighbouring countries.
