KHONSA : Union Minister Ajay Tamta on Sunday flagged off three new buses of Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) at Khonsa in Tirap district as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the organisation.
To mark the historic milestone at the very place where the service began with a single bus in 1975, Tamta, the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, flagged off three brand-new buses dedicated to the Tirap district, an official report said.
Addressing the valedictory function, Tamta congratulated the state transport department and APSTS for five decades of dedicated public service in promoting socio-economic development and connecting remote borders.
The Union minister emphasised that robust transport infrastructure acts as a catalyst for growth. He highlighted that strategic road networks, including National Highway-13, would significantly boost tourism, improve local livelihoods, and drive economic progress.
Tamta said that the Central government will continue to back road development in the northeastern state through the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), adding that several mega projects are currently being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.
Arunachal Pradesh Transport Minister Ojing Tasing announced the construction of a modern bus terminal at Khonsa as a permanent Golden Jubilee gift to the region. The announcement came in response to a proposal by local MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, who highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the existing five-decade-old structure and introduce luxury buses.
Stating that mountainous regions require unique, region-specific transport policies, Tasing said that apart from the 18 operational stations, multiple transport infrastructure projects are currently underway across the state.
Arunachal East Member of Parliament Tapir Gao focused on human resource development within the transport sector. He called for regular and rigorous training modules for drivers, conductors, and mechanics to ensure passenger safety and service quality match the ongoing infrastructure boom. (Source: DIPR/PTI)
