GUWAHATI, Dec 19 � After remaining in virtual oblivion for years, the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), once described as the lifeline of public transport in the State, has finally taken to the revival route.
Claims backed by statistics indicate that the ASTC is slowly but surely emerging out of its dark days, much to the delight of the commuters across the State.
The beleaguered unit that ran through heavy losses in the last one decade or so has now started showing signs of resurgence with the Corporation's monthly revenue touching an inspiring Rs 4 crore month.
�Approximate revenue of Rs 4 crore per month is what the ASTC has started earning since the last few months, which was unthinkable couple of years back," said Anil Chandra Barman, the Deputy General Manager of ASTC while talking to The Assam Tribune.
The Corporation has also drafted a road map to improve connectivity across the State, especially in rural areas. More exclusive provisions are likely to be incorporated for the women, kids and the physically challenged.
�We have been boosted by the arrival of a number of new and comfortable buses. The buses we have received are being released in such a way that it ensures hassle-free connectivity even with the places situated in city outskirts, besides the capital city,� Barman asserted.
�From a situation where the ASTC was almost on the verge of losing its identity to the present position where major developments are taking place to ensure commuters� comfort the Corporation has come a long way,� he said.
�The boost to our revenue collection has shown that we have regained public support to a large extent but at the same time we are consistently trying to enhance commuters' comfort. We are getting more buses and the response from the public has been encouraging too,� he pointed out.
At present, around 270 buses are running under the ASTC excluding those catering to city commuters.
Barman believed that the buses that the Corporation has started receiving in a phased manner under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) will catapult public transport system to a greater height.
So far we have received 69 buses which were released accordingly and another over 100 buses would be received by the early part of the New Year, subject to their delivery by the GMDA.
Admitting that the concentration of city buses is more, Barman stated that the buses under the ASTC would be released keeping in mind the requirements and frequency of the movement of public transport modes.
�In the city, routes like VIP Road, Khanapara to Adabari via Adabari and Hengrabari is in our scheme-of-things," Barman added.
