Guwahati: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA), while appreciating
the State minister of housing & urban affairs Ashok Singhal for taking
a ride in city buses recently to understand the problems of daily
commuters, urged the minister to focus on the quality night bus
service in the city as well. Singhal in his statement assured that he
would maintain a consistent effort to streamline connectivity in
Guwahati under the guidance of State chief minister Himanta Biswa
Sarma (who recently flagged off 100 new compressed natural gas run
city buses), said the forum of nationalist citizens.
“Question that arises, why the State government in general and
transport department in particular can not ensure regular (and timely)
city bus service after the dusk as the law & order situation has
improved in the last few years. Why the Guwahatians can not enjoy a
city bus ride after 9 pm in various routes? How long do they have to
wait for a consistent bus service till midnight ? If the private
owners are immediately not ready to operate during night hours, why
not the department run their own buses?,” said a PPFA statement.
It also cited an example for kind attention of CM Sarma requesting his
office to engage someone at the Chandmari point to observe if there
are sufficient buses towards Guwahati Club after 8 pm. When thousands
of enthusiasts are visiting Assam Book Fair at AEI filed (most of them
depend on the public transport), should not the concerned department
ensure quality night city bus services towards Maligaon-Jalukbari,
Narengi, Beltola-Basistha, ISBT, Hatigaon, Kahilipara, Khanapara,
Panjabari, etc, questioned the forum.
“As Guwahati is developing as a major city in eastern India waiting to
connect many south Asian nations, it must be alive till late night
hours. Presently, hundreds of young people work in different
commercial establishments including shopping malls, restaurants,
hospitals, etc till the night hours. They can not afford private
vehicle services. Moreover, once the decent night bus service is in
place, all kinds of commuters can plan their evening activities
accordingly. And it should happen fast,” concluded the statement.
