Of the total length of the road, the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 is 110 km, while on the Myanmarese side, the distance between Moreh and Mandalay via Tamu town is 469 km. According to an earlier MoU signed between the two countries, passengers of the Imphal-Mandalay bus service should possess valid passports. The passengers may be granted a single-entry visa with a validity of 28 days on arrival at Tamu in Myanmar and Moreh in Manipur. The visas would be granted by immigration officials of either India or Myanmar depending on which direction the passengers are travelling. Tickets would be issued only to Indian and Myanmarese nationals with valid travel documents.
An official said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Myanmar has boosted the neighouring country's response to an earlier draft report on the bus service by New Delhi. India and Myanmar had held an inter-ministerial technical meeting at Nay Pyi Taw in June last year.
A comprehensive proposal for introduction of the bus service was initially submitted to the DoNER ministry and ministry of road transport and highways in June 2009 by the Manipur government. About 20,000 Manipuri Meities live in and around Mandalay.
An official said the joint inspection team, which left Imphal on Monday, will assess all requirements of the bus service along the stretch.
The 10-member Myanmarese team includes superintending engineer of public works of ministry of construction of Sagaing Region U Tang Toe Aung and officials of the traffic police force and ministry of rail transport. The Indian team includes officials of the ministry of external affairs, road transport and highways and Manipur public works and transport departments.
Manipur transport secretary M Laxmikumar said the Indian team, after returning to Imphal, will submit its report to the Centre for signing a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar.
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