A direct bus service between Indian border town Moreh and Burma’s second largest city, Mandalay is in the offing. This was announced by Manipuri’s Transport Minister on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Manipur Transport Minister Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar said in order to give a leg up to bilateral trade relations both India and Burma will give the go ahead to the direct bus service.

“The concerned authorities have cleared the project,” said the Minister adding that the bus link will be a historic milestone for trade between the two nations.

Though the Indian Commerce Minister Jairam Ramesh, during his visit to Moreh in September 2006, gave the green signal to the proposed bus service, the project got mired as Burmese authorities failed to respond to India’s proposal then.

The bus service, which is part of the proposed Trans-Asia Highway and Trans-Asian Rail link, would take Burmese traders and tourists from Mandalay only 12 hours to reach the Indian border town, the Minister added.

The Minister also said in order to work out a detailed programme, a meeting will be held in Manipur’s capital Imphal on July 23, where Indian officials including security personnel and traders would participate.

“We will identify the number of stoppages along the route and other pros and cons of the bus service at the meeting,” said Jayantakumar adding that the resolutions would be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Surface Transport in New Delhi for approval.

Responding to a question by Mizzima, the Minister said a ministerial team along with officials will be visiting Mandalay shortly to study the ground situation.

“Hopefully we’re planning to go next month” he added.

The Moreh-Mandalay bus service has been one of the major demands of the Indo-Myanmar Border Traders’ Union.

“It is encouraging as it’s going to attract tourists as well as traders,” said Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, President of IMBTU.