GUWAHATI: The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has dismissed the drivers and conductors of two buses involved in an accident on the Ganeshguri flyover in Guwahati on Sunday, October 6.
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Chinmoy Phukan, Managing Director of ASTC, confirmed the dismissals.
They have been identified as driver Malapuddin and conductor Jainul Haque (AS 20 2598) and driver Rinku Ali and conductor Alkaj Ali (AS 20 2531).
He also said the District Transport Officer would be asked to cancel the driving licenses of the two drivers.
“We have decided to recommend DTO for cancellation of Driving Licence of both the Drivers so that they can never drive any vehicle on our roads,” Phukan said. He emphasised the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that the conduct displayed by the drivers is unacceptable and detrimental to passenger safety.
An eyewitness, who was a passenger on one of the buses, told GPlus, "I boarded the bus at Walford. Another bus, attempting to overtake, crashed into the right side of ours. The impact shattered two window panes, scattering shards of glass inside the bus. Despite this, our driver continued until passengers shouted for him to stop."
Some passengers seated near the broken windows reportedly sustained minor injuries from the glass.
The incident is an eye-opener about the behaviour of city bus drivers and the lack of regulation. The transport department states that city buses are allowed to stop at a bus stop for only one minute, but buses frequently stop for five to ten minutes. Regulations to enforce these rules are rarely visible.
The accident raised serious concerns about the behaviour of city bus operators and the enforcement of transportation regulations.
