Aizawl: Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Monday stressed the need for a reliable public transport system to ease urban congestion, saying services must be clean, well-managed and punctual to encourage greater public use.Lalduhoma made the remarks at a meeting on the Aizawl Sustainable Urban Transport Project (ASUTP), being implemented under the Externally Aided Project scheme.The project, proposed to be implemented with Asian Development Bank assistance, has a budget of Rs 414.04 crore. Its first phase is scheduled to run from 2027-28 to 2030-31.The project will focus on upgrading public transport, constructing depot terminals and electric vehicle charging stations, improving three major traffic junctions and developing regional terminals for buses and maxi cabs at Muallungthu, Sihhmui and Bungbangla.Truck terminals will also be constructed at Sihhmui and Bungbangla.The three junctions proposed for improvement are Kulikawn-Bawngkawn, Temple Square-Vaivakawn and Bawngkawn-Ramhlun.The meeting also discussed setting up cold-chain storage facilities and wholesale markets at the proposed regional terminals. Officials further considered connecting Aizawl’s road network with the ongoing Aizawl Western Bypass project at multiple points to reduce traffic congestion.Lalduhoma said the project would also improve public health through pedestrian walkways, better traffic junctions and dedicated parking spaces for buses, trucks and maxi cabs. He stressed the need for advance planning of highways outside Aizawl before they become heavily populated and congested.
