Few takers for Nagaland’s 1st Inter-State Bus Terminus

Private bus operators refuse to utilise ISBT Dimapur 

Mongsentong Longkumer 
Dimapur | September 1 

The first Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) of Nagaland located on the fringes of Purana Bazaar, Dimapur has fallen off the radar of government authorities over the past several years. Initially envisaged as a transport hub for buses ferrying passenger across the Northeast region, the bus station at present harbours only a handful of NST bus services and private taxi minivans. 

Private bus operations in particular have grounded to a halt. Factors such as absence of a signboard to direct travellers towards the bus station, non-repair of road and the inconvenient location where it is situated were found to be the main issues.    

According to the marble placard displayed at the main building, the foundation stone for the ISBT was first laid on December 17, 1999 by T Tali, former Minister for State and Transportation. Later, on July 9, 2002, the bus terminus was formally inaugurated by the then Union Minister, Disinvestment & Development of Northeast Region, Arun Shourie. 

When The Morung Express went to inquire from the Assistant General Manager, Avikho Meyase, responsible for overseeing the ISBT, he stated that on the government’s part, there were no objections towards them setting up counters at the station. He however admitted that the issue needs more attention from the higher authorities so as to bring private players back towards operating at the terminus.   

“We are currently operating only 9 buses from the ISBT, whereas the infrastructure is meant to accommodate more buses,” he said. 

The official also noted that in the past, the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Dimapur had given repeated reminders to private operators. “However, no further action was taken as far as I know.” 

On contacting some of the private bus operators, who currently operate from their own counters at Eros Lane, Dimapur, their reasons ranged from logistical challenges to inconvenience for passengers. 

Transportation and logistics costs
One of the workers at Blue Hill Travels ticket counter revealed the fear of traffic jams preventing passengers from reaching the bus station on time had de-incentivised them over the years. Expensive auto fares have also been the main complaint of the public. 

“Most of our passengers are from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam so it is more convenient for them to reach their hotels in our current location,” he said. “Plus the road condition leading towards the station is in a horrendous state,” he added. “Yes, we had received notification in the past but like I said, it is not worth the trouble.” 

Another worker at Deep Travels also mentioned the preference for loading and unloading cargo at their main counters as it cuts costs on transportation. “When we operated at ISBT in the past, some of our packages would get misplaced there so security was a huge concern for us.” 

“Here at Eros Lane, hotels, taxi stands and markets are located nearby so it creates less hassle for the passengers,” he noted. 

For officials at Network Travels, they bluntly stated that, “We did go and survey the station but decided not to go there from the start.” 

Poor road condition 
The 500 meter distance from the main highway towards ISBT is also in a sorry state of affairs. Viketo Sumi, a resident living near the vicinity complained that the road has never been repaired in the past. Although land fillings have been done on several occasions, this had only created more problems he observed.  

Huge craters and bumps are seen across a major part of the road prior to reaching the station. 

“Sand dealers who have set up their business next to the road side have also created a lot of inconvenience as well,” he observed. 

He commented that private cars get trapped in the sludge during the rainy season owing to sand being dumped haphazardly near the road. He also mentioned that the petrol pump taking up a huge portion of the road has, in addition, hampered the smooth flow of traffic. 

Current state of operations at ISBT
Mughaho Aye, employed as a Time Keeper at ISBT explained that the Nagaland State Transport (NST) was currently the sole operator of buses at the terminus. 

An average of 150 passengers travel from the terminus during the summer season, which during the peak season of travel, i.e. winter months, the numbers increase to between 200-250 travellers on alternate days of the week. 

However, mechanical problems such as break down of vehicles and road blockages owing to landslides are common, which can reduce the number of buses ferrying passengers. 

There are security concerns as well due to lack of sentries at the terminus during the night. Police guards from the nearby substation used to man the check-gates in the past but this has been discontinued after the COVID-19 pandemic, he informed. 

Meyase also noted that the terminus operates services for 9 destinations of the State— Chuchuyimlang, Changtongya, Tamlu during the day and Zunhebhoto, Kiphire, Meluri, Phek, Pungro, Chessore for night service, which all operate on alternate days. We usually ply buses for areas east of Kohima or Northeast of Kohima such as Phek, Meluri Kiphire, Tamlu etc, he explained.

“While for the NST Bus station at Railway colony, we ply buses from for Peren, Tening, Kohima, Imphal and Assam,” he informed. When asked as to whether this arrangement creates inconveniences for the public, he stated that the public are used to the current system now.  

“Whereas the government has provided them counters at the station and we are ready to allow them to use the station in ferrying passengers. It is up to the private players to explain why they are not willing to do so,” he said.