Lack of Initiative To Boost Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) Bus Service Decried

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Anti Corruption Youth-Power, Assam (ACYPA) termed the State government’s assertions of making Mercedes buses in Assam streets operational a gimmick and requested attention to the deplorable condition of the already existing Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses.

While addressing the press on Wednesday, ACYPA president Dharmakanta Gogoi said, “During the period from 2015 to 2019, a total of 1258 ASTC buses were introduced out of which 702 are rusting but still in running condition, 256 are under repair in the garage while 300 buses have completely broken down. Due to lack of maintenance, 256 buses remain unused. Moreover, excluding Kamrup (M), only 70 to 30 ASTC buses are operational in different districts of the State.” Gogoi further stated that since the past five years only 20 buses are running in the streets of Lakhimpur and these buses also often break down. “If the amount spent on the maintenance of these buses are calculated, it would leave people in shock. Since 2015 to June 2017, a total of Rs 64,74,932 was spent on the repair of these buses. This is no small amount and is an utter waste of government money. So, instead of making tall claims about running Mercedes buses in Assam streets, the State government should focus on improving the quality of the already existing ASTC buses,” said Gogoi.

Gogoi also slammed Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary for his lack of initiative in the matter and asked for his resignation while urging the Chief Minister to hold a formal enquiry into the matter.

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