By Nava J Thakuria
Expressing utter dismay over the inconsistent city bus service in the virtual capital of northeast India, a forum of nationalist citizens urged Assam government to ensure reliable transportation service covering all important routes till at least 11 pm (if not late night hours), so that the Guwahatians, who are still deprived of local & metro train service, can enjoy their rides with no uncertainties.
“When the State government at Dispur recently bought a number of CNG and electricity operated city buses, why the transport department cannot ensure timely service after dusk? The law & order situation has already improved and there should be no trepidation in operating the government city buses in all routes till the midnight hours,” said the Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA), adding that the concerned department must not show interest only in buying the vehicles.
Those should also run on the roads for the benefit of common citizens as they may not afford private vehicles for their movements, asserted the PPFA. For any reason new buses should not be subscribed to showcase (the failure of concerned authorities !) in ISBT Guwahati for months now, said the forum raising a pertinent question-after all who will pay for the mismanagement?
“As Guwahati has emerged as a major city in the far eastern part of Bharat and hopes to connect many south Asian nations, it must be active in night hours too. Moreover, thousands of local people now-a-days work in various commercial establishments including shopping malls, restaurants, hospitals and others till the midnight and they definitely need a dependable service. Once the decent service is assured, the commuters will plan their evening engagements accordingly,” added the statement.
Finally the patriotic forum appealed to State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (who recently flagged off 100 compressed natural gas operated and earlier 100 electric buses) to intervene over the matter. It also requested the CMO to engage some informers at various points like Sankardev Kalakshetra, Kahilipara, Ganeshguri (towards Chandamri), Narengi, Hatigaon, Jalukbari, etc after 7 pm to get the real picture of Guwahati’s city bus service, so that appropriate actions can be initiated as well.
