DHEMAJI, Dec 26 - The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) started bus services from Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur districts to Dibrugarh and Tinsukia and part of Upper Arunachal and vice-versa through Bogibeel bridge from Wednesday morning.
The people heaved a sigh of relief as their only means of transport to cross the river was ferries and mechanised country boats till Tuesday.
Along with the train services along the route launched by NF Railway, ASTC has introduced regular bus services between north bank and south banks, besides part of Upper Arunachal Pradesh to enhance road connectivity and thus reducing the tedious ferry ride by several hours.
ASTC sources informed that it has started operation of seven buses from Jonai to Dibrugarh and other upper Assam areas on a daily basis, while its has introduced one from each Dhemaji and Lakhimpur district headquarters in the same manner. It has also started a bus service from Pasighat (Arunachal) to Jagun via Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts along the route.
Jonai (Dhemaji) ASTC Station in-charge Bokul Dutta informed that the corporation has initially started bus service along the Dhemaji-Bogibeel route for public convenience, but it would take some days for fixation of the timings of arrival and departures.
It may recalled that the first ASTC buses from Majuli and Golaghat started their maiden journey immediately after opening of the Bogibeel bridge on Tuesday, while same service was started between Majuli and Dibrugarh via Bogibeel bridge from the opposite side.
Introduction of the new bus services between the two regions has naturally brought cheers and relief to the common people on both the banks.