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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Khanapara & Basistha to Dharapur bus routes to go green from Jan 1
1 2 Guwahati: Streets of Guwahati are seeing more green electric buses operated by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), as privately owned diesel buses gradually disappear. In a recent move, the transport department resolved to convert two city routes into dedicated "green corridors" — a shift that has triggered widespread concern among diesel bus operators who fear it would severely impact their livelihoods. Effective from Jan 1, 2026, these new green corridors will only allow electric or CNG buses. Diesel buses will be allowed on these two routes only till Dec 31 this year. The two major city bus paths — route no.-23 which goes from Khanapara to Dharapur via Ganeshguri, and route no.-36 which goes from Basistha Mandir to Dharapur via Paltan Bazar — covers key localities of the city. The city currently has around 352 privately owned diesel buses, alongside 256 electric and 100 CNG buses under ASTC. However, not all operate simultaneously. Data from the Kamrup (Metro) district transport office shows that 113 private city bus permits have been cancelled since Jan last year till now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo DTO-cum-RTA Kamrup (Metro) secretary Tamsir Aftab said the decision was taken during a regional transport board meeting. Operators have been asked to either shift routes or convert their buses to CNG or electric vehicles. "This transition is being carried out in a phased manner, and it will reduce pollution, ease traffic, and streamline green bus operations. ASTC's enforcement wing will be responsible for scheduling and accountability on these corridors," Aftab said. Meanwhile, Devraj Das, secretary of the Metropolitan Transport Association Guwahati, said, "It is not possible for us to comply with that decision due to the present financial condition of the owner members. We started doing this business as a source of livelihood to our families, besides each city bus owners also contributes to the employment and livelihood of other two families which includes the drivers and conductors. Amid rising living costs and high unemployment, this decision feels arbitrary and unconstitutional."
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Clear footpaths, less traffic on election day
1 2 3 4 Guwahati: Assam panchayat elections temporarily transformed the urban landscape, as a significant number of street vendors, largely comprising of fruit and vegetable sellers, returned to their villages to cast votes, leaving city footpaths unusually accessible and roads noticeably less through the city on Wednesday, Guwahatians experienced clear footpaths and less near the Jalukbari flyover, Pan Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar and multiple other locations that typically host dozens of vendors selling everything from seasonal fruits to vegetables were largely vacant, with only a handful of sellers maintaining their usual spots. The bus stops of Jalukbari, Bharalumukh, and Shilpukhuri, often encroached upon, were easily accessible to citizens on Wednesday."Because of panchayat elections, today I could walk on the footpath without having to step onto the road," said Rakesh Ojah, a resident of flow also improved with major thoroughfares experiencing smoother movement due to the govt requisition of several city buses for the panchayat election.A private sector employee, Shabnam Sultana, said, "Today there is much less traffic than on usual days due to the requisition of several city buses for election duty while keeping the remaining buses densely packed."An official of Assam State Transport Corporation said a total of 50 buses under ASTC had been requisitioned for panchayat election duty and all the 256 electric green buses are operational on the roads of Guwahati, providing service to the Municipal Corporation mayor Mrigen Sarania said, "Footpaths of Guwahati will soon be free from illegal vendors, and the enforcement branch has already evicted vendors from footpaths in multiple locations of the city."
