Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said that to bring back the faith of the people to Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) it has to strictly adhere to the benchmarks of discipline, punctuality and cleanliness.

While flagging off 46 AC buses for Greater Guwahati connectivity under JnNURM II at ISBT Guwahati, the CM termed ASTC as the symbol of Assamese identity.

He said to bring back the glory days of the Corporation both the civil society and the Government must work hand in hand so that ASTC can contribute meaningfully to the State’s economy. In order to achieve ASTC’s transition from a loss making venture to profit making venture, the officials and staff of the Corporation will have to work dedicatedly and sincerely.

Chief minister Sonowal outlined the courteous behaviour of the staff running the ASTC buses towards the general public and regular maintenance of the buses at every station as the key points to bring about the revival of ASTC. Cleanliness of the buses is of paramount importance and for that general people would also need to cooperate.

He said 58 more such buses would be pressed into service in the next phase. The CM reiterated that the ASTC is not only for profit making but it also needs to carry the message of Swach Bharat to the remotest corner of the state through its clean and proper maintenance of the modern buses.

Unnecessary delay in reaching destinations will have to be strictly avoided so that the people put their faith on ASTC and people feel a sense of belonging to the buses. Modern buses will only be successful when the people consider them as their own property and thereby help in keeping them clean.

Minister of transport Chandramohan Patowary also spoke on the occasion and said that ASTC’s fortunes will be turned around through hardwork and dedication. The history of the Corporation might not have been great but from now onwards ASTC will write a successful chapter through teamwork and innovation.

Some strict decisions might also be taken in the interest of the Cooperation but employees must support such initiatives for reviving ASTC which was established in 1970. He reiterated that with a Team Assam attitude the Government and civil society would take the State to greater heights.

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