The Meghalaya government has decided to introduce the Chief Minister’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (CMRCS) 2025 to connect district headquarters to block headquarters and regional headquarters.
Under the scheme, a total fleet of 90 buses will be introduced to be operated by private parties.
Cabinet Minister and spokesperson of MDA Paul Lyngdoh said initiative will introduce a fleet of 90 buses to bridge the commute gap for students, office workers, and the general public.
“Under the scheme, financial support of up to 50 per cent of the total vehicle cost will be provided. Of this, the government will contribute 35 per cent towards the on-road cost as a down payment. Beneficiaries will contribute 5 per cent, while the remaining 60 per cent will be financed through loans repayable over a five-year period,” Lyngdoh said.
He said 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. The government has also identified routes which will cover the various block headquarters, district headquarters and regional headquarters.
Lyngdoh said the first priority would be private entrepreneurs followed by the SHGs.
“We are confident that the government will take care of the huge deficit that we have and to enhance regional mobility,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the scheme will encourage people to use bus services which will also ease traffic congestion.
Lyngdoh said, “Through the experience of MTC running those buses and they are 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.”
