Letters to the Editor: Vital role of Metro rail in Guwahati

The importance of the metro rail system is of enormous significance in a city like Guwahati, which is experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth. It is imperative to invest in an efficient and sustainable mode of public transportation, such as the metro rail system. The introduction of a metro network not only addresses the mounting traffic congestion but also leads to the socio-economic development of the region. The metro rail system would alleviate the worsening traffic conditions in Guwahati. As the population of the city continues to surge, the already burdened road infrastructure struggles to cope with the rising number of vehicles, leading to congestion, longer commute times, and increased pollution levels. The metro rail system would enhance connectivity within the city significantly by connecting the growing commercial and educational hubs. By doing so, the metro rail system would facilitate seamless movement and improve economic development. Another advantage of the metro rail system is its contribution to the overall development of Guwahati by boosting employment opportunities. The metro rail network would create a large number of sustainable jobs in both construction and operations sectors, which would benefit both the skilled and unskilled workers in the region. The metro rail, powered by electricity, would also help in reducing pollution and carbon emission, thus playing a vital role in the vision of a greener and cleaner future. The metro rail system would provide a safer, more comfortable, and very reliable mode of transportation and improve accessibility for all ages and abilities. It would be a blessing, especially for senior citizens, students, and differently-abled individuals. In conclusion, as Assam ventures into an era of vast economic opportunities, the metro rail network is the right choice at the right time to bet on.

Mridupawan Das

(mridupawandas2013@gmail.com)

Lacking civic sense

Civic sense is a sense which is very much needed for the citizens of any nation. If we carefully analyze the reasons behind the success of nations like Japan, Germany in particular which were devastated after WW2, it is only because of high civic sense among its citizens that they have overcome the difficulties and stood as leading nations of the world. With a very heavy heart one must admit that civic sense is very much lacking among us, especially among the citizens of Bihar and UP. Spitting and urinating in public places, parking one’s vehicle in wrong place, not wearing helmet and using seat belt while driving two or four wheelers, occupying the footpaths for selling one’s wares are very commonly seen in Guwahati itself. Widening of roads, silting of river beds, constructing of foot bridges and flyovers etc.will not help us unless we develop good civic sense. So let us get going.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury

Guwahati.

Need more local trains

The current number of local trains that ply between Guwahati and Kokrajhar, the capital of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) via Rangia is inadequate to meet the demands of the commuters. Due to the shortage of regular local trains in this section, travelling between the two cities has become very tricky for passengers who cannot afford personal transportation, leaving no alternative but to travel in crowded buses, making the journey more uncomfortable and unsafe. The time taken to reach the destination also increases significantly due to the pathetic condition of the National Highways. Moreover, most of the public buses leave Kokrajhar by 2-3 pm. In order to make travelling more convenient for the people of this greater region covering the 8 districts- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Baksa, Nalbari, Kamrup and Kamrup metro, it is imperative to ensure that more local trains are made available to reduce the gap between Guwahati and Kokrajhar. By providing more local trains, it would lessen the commuting time drastically, making frequent travelling between the two destinations much more reliable, comfortable and safer. Therefore, the authorities concerned must take necessary steps to increase the number of local trains travelling between Guwahati and Kokrajhar via Rangia, to ensure a hassle-free journey for the people of this greater region.

Er. Bibhash Deva Nath

Chirang.

Ajit Pawar has the last laugh

Ajit Pawar and eight other Nationalist Congress Party leaders who switched loyalties to join the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in Maharashtra were given major ministries in the state cabinet. Pawar, who was sworn in as deputy chief minister, must be having the last laugh at getting the all-important finance and planning portfolio.

Devendra Fadnavis, the other deputy chief minister in Maharashtra’s government, has been forced to give up key positions, including finance. Why the BJP agreed to this in order to placate Ajit Pawar may be exposed in the coming months when Maharashtra’s political realignment settles. Pawar’s preference for distributing funds to NCP strongholds while refusing them to Shiv Sena was mentioned as a main cause for Eknath Shinde’s departure from the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi cabinet of Sena, NCP, and Congress from 2019 to 2022. It would be fascinating to observe how Shinde and his government colleagues deal with Pawar now.

Abhijit Roy

(abhijitroytatanagar@gmail.com)