Shillong, June 13: The state government has approved the introduction of the Chief Minister Regional Connectivity Scheme 2025 for connecting district, block and regional headquarters with bus services.
Terming it as major initiative by the government, MDA government spokesperson and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh said that the cabinet has approved the introduction of the scheme.
“A total fleet of 90 buses will be introduced and the emphasis will be to encourage entrepreneurs and one of the major priorities of the scheme is to ensure that these buses reach the district headquarters by 9.30 am and depart by 5.30 pm to cater to the demand from office goers, students, patients visiting hospitals and people travelling to markets,” he said.
He informed that the financial support will come up to 50% of the total cost of the vehicles.
“There will be government contribution of 35% for on road cost as down payment. The beneficiary will contribute 5% of the down payment and the loan financing will come to 60% which is repayable over 5 years for the beneficiary,” Lyngdoh said.
According to him, the government has also identifed routes which will cover the various block headquarters, district headquarters and regional headquarters.
“This is a major initiative which we are confident will take care of the huge deficit that we have currently and to enhance regional mobility,” Lyngdoh added.
The minister emphasized that the scheme will help encourage the use of bus services which will then have the effect the overall impact of traffic congestions along the road.
Asked, Lyngdoh said, “Precisely because of that experience for which this government has no link at all but through the experience of MTC running those buses and they becoming liabilities in record time, we now have learnt that it would be wise to encourage private entrepreneurship. They are better, more hardworking and their payment track record is far better.”
