Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: The CNG-powered buses were an ambitious project launched by the state government earlier this year in a bid to reduce the pollution problem in the city. But within a few months, the number of buses as well as the routes they ply on had reduced noticeably.
Proving that the words of the authorities in this direction carry no weight, the CNG bus services have been drastically reduced. It was announced that 300 such vehicles would be operational in the city, but less than 100 vehicles remain operational. The primary cause of the problem is the lack of adequate CNG fueling stations in the city. The only one operational for the buses is near the ISBT in Guwahati. But that too has a capacity of only six vehicles at once, which is inadequate for running the services. The announcement regarding the setting up of five additional CNG fuel stations within months of the launch of this service remains to be realised.
Also, the authorities at the Assam State Transport Corporation have mentioned that they are not looking at running a fleet of electric buses in the city, thus proving the shortsightedness of the important organisation. A large number of these vehicles remain unused due to a lack of the necessary facilities. Meanwhile, the citizens still await the setting up of a time-bound and trustworthy public transport system in the city so that the daily commuters do not have to face the menace of the taxi drivers.
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