Assam transport minister Parimal Suklabaidya on July 19 reviewed the overall functioning of the state-owned Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) for its rejuvenation.
At a high-level meeting held with the transport department’s secretary Adil Khan, ASTC vice chairman Pranabjyoti Lahakar, ASTC managing director Rahul Das and other officials at his office conference room at the Janata Bhawan, minister Suklabaidya pitched for evenly deployment of the workforce following detailed discussion on the functioning structure.
Rejuvenation of the corporation figured prominently in the meeting and it was decided to repair some buses instead of going for new purchases, as maintenance will entail lesser money. Emphasis was also laid on creating self-employment opportunities by leasing out old vehicles through spot auctions.
Suklabaidya directed the transport authorities to chalk out a roadmap of the routes where ASTC buses are plying, routes where there is a lack of ASTC buses and to explore new economically viable routes to mobilise revenue.
It was decided that full-fledged e-ticketing software services will be launched in Kamrup Metro and Sonitpur by AMTRON as a pilot project on a revenue-sharing basis on July 21.
The transport minister directed ASTC to hold a meeting with Guwahati traffic police to resolve issues related to bus stoppage and parking among others in Guwahati and find quick ways and means as to how ASTC buses can carry passengers to the maximum capacity in order to generate more revenue.
The meeting decided that ASTC buses would be inspected regularly by nodal officers in the rank of assistant engineers who will be accountable for proper route maintenance, vigilance and tickets among others.
Timings of buses across the state will also be monitored and such timings will be shared with the public for their convenience.
It was also decided that JAN buses, which were non-functional following orders from Gauhati High Court that these buses will not be able to run in Guwahati, will now operate on the outskirts of the capital city by ASTC in public, private partnership mode.
The meeting further decided that the lacunae detected by the transport minister during his surprise visit to ISBT would be resolved at the earliest and necessary action would be initiated immediately against the officers and staff accountable for all this.
A report encompassing all the matters discussed in the meeting will be submitted to the transport minister within seven days.
