In a city like Guwahati, where the population is rapidly increasing and infrastructure struggles to keep up, the role of public transport should be a top priority. Yet, instead of addressing major issues like traffic congestion and overcrowded roads, the focus seems to be on cosmetic projects like modern-looking bus stops. While public transport is more crucial than ever, the authorities’ priorities seem misplaced, raising questions about whether these new developments are solving real problems or just wasting resources.
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The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), in an effort to modernise the city’s transport system, has been constructing new bus stops across various parts of the city. These new structures, boasting features such as WiFi, CCTV cameras, and charging points, are marketed as an initiative to make commuting more comfortable. However, a growing number of residents and experts are questioning whether these bus stops will solve the real problem: The city's crippling traffic congestion.
According to city-based architect and a member of the Architecture Association of Assam, Ranel Das, the primary focus of the bus stand construction seems to be on aesthetics rather than functionality. Speaking to GPlus, Das pointed out a key flaw in the city's traffic management system, stating, "Assam has no proper database for any traffic management. The flow of buses increases during peak hours, and it gets congested. There should be a leeway for vehicles in the city, but we don’t see it here. The stoppages should serve their main purpose, which is to provide a shelter and a place to sit. It shouldn’t be about whether the stops are made of glass, cement, or wood or how aesthetic they look. Utilising the space for advertisements is one thing, but the ultimate goal should be to provide ease of movement and facilities for passengers."
The GMC has undertaken the construction of 45 new bus stops, according to a senior official. As part of the project, 12 of the old bus stops are set to be demolished, with two already having been torn down. The remaining 10 are yet to be demolished due to ongoing construction projects, such as the flyover from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati.
Talking to GPlus, the official further explained that the locations for these new bus stops were determined after a survey conducted two years ago. The GMC collaborated with the Regional Transport Authority and the Guwahati Traffic Police to select spots where these bus stops could potentially ease traffic congestion.
“These new bus stops will have WiFi, CCTV cameras, charging points, dustbins, and fans. The tenders for constructing them have been awarded to two major agencies, Priya Communications and Prodigy,” the official said. “Additionally, there will be advertisement tax imposed on these structures.”
While the goal of these new bus stops is to modernise public transport infrastructure, residents and commuters are far from satisfied.
The question remains: Will the GMC new bus stops serve the purpose?
Many residents feel that the new bus stops are doing little to alleviate the actual problem of traffic congestion. The complaints range from buses stopping for too long, to drivers waiting to fill their buses beyond the official two-minute limit issued by the District Transport Office (DTO) in 2019. According to this guideline, city buses are not supposed to halt at any stand for more than two minutes. However, in practice, buses often wait for more than five minutes, adding to the congestion as other vehicles struggle to navigate around them.
Talking to GPlus, Joon Bora, a daily commuter in Guwahati said, "It’s really frustrating to wait in traffic while buses stop for what feels like forever," said "The drivers just wait to load their buses, and sometimes they block the whole road, making it impossible for other vehicles to pass. Why even bother building new bus stops if this is what happens?"
Another resident, Manab Kalita, talking to GPlus said, "The conductors yell ‘khali gari’ (empty bus) even when the bus is full, just to get more passengers. The buses block the road, and there’s no traffic police to stop them. I often see buses parked diagonally, which only adds to the chaos."
Nisha Deka, who takes the bus daily to her office in Dispur, added, "I thought these new bus stops would help reduce the traffic, but it’s only gotten worse. The buses wait too long, and instead of easing congestion, it feels like they’re creating more of it. Sometimes it takes me 20 minutes just to cross a single junction because the buses are blocking the way."
Prabhakar Singh, a daily commuter near GMCH said, "I have seen buses waiting for more than five minutes at the stand while other vehicles pile up behind. It is such a waste of time, especially when you are in a hurry to get to work or home."
For the city’s traffic police, managing this chaos is a daily battle. A traffic officer, speaking to GPlus on the condition of anonymity, described the struggle they face on a regular basis. "This is an everyday issue," the officer said. "Controlling the traffic is very difficult. We have to constantly handle bus drivers who wait for more than five minutes at the stops, even though they are well aware of the two-minute rule. When buses wait for too long, it disrupts the entire flow of traffic, especially during peak hours."
The officer further explained that the congestion caused by the buses has a ripple effect on the entire traffic system, with vehicles backing up and blocking nearby intersections. "We do what we can, but it’s a challenge to manage everything when the buses don’t follow the rules."
In response to the growing criticism, a senior official from the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) acknowledged the issue and promised corrective action. "We are aware of the complaints regarding buses waiting for too long at the stops," the official said. "If this continues, we will speak to the drivers and send a team to clear the area. We do not want buses causing unnecessary delays or congestion."
The construction of modern bus stops in Guwahati seems to be a well-intentioned move towards better public infrastructure, but it’s clear that these stops alone are not enough to tackle the city’s traffic woes. Aesthetic improvements, such as glass walls and sleek designs, may look appealing, but they do little to address the practical needs of commuters. What the city needs is a comprehensive traffic management plan that includes better monitoring and regulation of bus movements, stricter enforcement of the two-minute rule, and an efficient system to ensure buses do not block traffic while waiting for passengers.
Public transport is the backbone of any city’s infrastructure, and for Guwahati, getting it right is crucial. The city’s growing population and increasing number of vehicles make it essential for the government to invest not just in infrastructure but in efficient traffic management strategies. Only then can the true potential of these new bus stops be realized, not just as aesthetic improvements but as functional assets that help alleviate the city’s traffic problems.
As Guwahati struggles with worsening traffic congestion, the GMC’s new bus stops appear to be more of a cosmetic fix than a real solution. While the government is spending public money on sleek designs and modern amenities, the core issue of traffic management remains unaddressed. These bus stops, no matter how aesthetically pleasing, fail to reduce congestion if buses are allowed to wait beyond the designated time, clogging the roads and frustrating commuters.
Until then, the question remains: Will these new bus stops merely serve as eye-catching structures, or will they finally help bring some order to Guwahati’s congested streets?
