GUWAHATI: After around 70 buses have been seized by the Regional Transport Authority in its recent drive against errant city buses, many other buses have gone off the roads to avoid paying such fines that are being imposed. Moreover, around 30 percent of the buses were called off the roads last week as per directives of the Gauhati High Court in an attempt to control traffic congestion in the city.
However, many commuters were seen stranded at the designated bus stops and having a tough time due to lack of suffient buses. Moreover, the buses that are currently running are also seen to be over-crowded.
One of the office goers said, "Although the buses are coming on time, there is not even enough space to set foot on the bus."
"It has become very inconvenient for female passengers as the buses are packed and the conductors push the passengers farther inside so that they can close the doors as per the new rules. It has also become very suffocating," said another passenger.
It has to be mentioned that a team of 20 enforcement officials has been deployed to conduct drives to specifically check display plate of ‘Route No.’, ‘Route Permit No.’, ‘Police WhatsApp No.’, ‘Road Safety Slogan’, closing of doors of the buses while in motion, proper usage of entry and exit doors, re-canalization of route permit in different routes, etc.
The High Court directives come in response to the PIL(72/2016) filed by Rita Das Mozumder to ease traffic congestion in the city arising out of haphazard parking, ill-management of traffic, unscientific traffic control, etc.
