In a major push to modernise Meghalaya’s urban infrastructure, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday officially flagged off a fleet of 84 new buses at the New Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, inviting citizens to quite literally “ride into the future” with the state’s new public transport vision.
The launch marked the debut of “Ka Bos Jong Ngi” (Our Bus), an initiative of the Urban Affairs Department aimed at transforming everyday commuting. Of the 84 vehicles, 55 are state-of-the-art electric buses inducted under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, underscoring the government’s commitment to green energy and sustainable mobility.
Designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind, the new fleet features full air-conditioning, mobile charging points, real-time GPS tracking systems and e-ticketing facilities for seamless commuting. A pilot service commenced today on the IIM Shillong–Upper Shillong route, with buses scheduled to run daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Beyond transportation, the programme also spotlighted grassroots entrepreneurship. The Chief Minister handed over seven food carts to beneficiaries of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK), an initiative focused on strengthening the livelihoods of local artisans and food vendors. “This launch is a milestone in our effort to provide reliable, comfortable and eco-friendly transport while simultaneously creating economic opportunities for our citizens,” he said.
In a symbolic extension of that message, the concluding day of the Budget Session witnessed an unusual sight. The customary high-security motorcades gave way to a single STEM bus carrying Meghalaya’s entire political leadership.
In a rare display of bipartisanship, Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma, and Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar boarded the student-centric bus together for a visit to Mawdiangdiang to inspect progress on the New Secretariat and the New Assembly building.
The journey was more than a routine inspection. It was described as a calibrated gesture aimed at encouraging citizens to adopt shared public transport as a practical response to Shillong’s chronic traffic congestion.
“The legislators themselves are sitting in these STEM buses to show you that they are absolutely safe,” the Chief Minister remarked during the ride, urging parents and students to embrace the initiative. “It is a structural intervention to ease the gridlock on our streets.”
Mawdiangdiang, the destination of the visit, lies at the heart of the New Shillong Township. By relocating the administrative nerve centre away from the old city, the government hopes to spur economic growth in adjoining areas while preserving the heritage character of the original capital.
As the bus rolled back into the city, the image of ruling and opposition leaders sharing a bench lingered as a quiet but powerful metaphor — that despite political differences, the journey toward Meghalaya’s development is one they are prepared to undertake together.
