COVID-19 outbreak: ASTC offers services for stranded passengers in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: For smooth management of the situation arising due to coronavirus, the Transport Department has launched an operation for transportation of the people arriving at airports and railway stations from March 22, 23 and 24. The Department has taken a slew of measures to help the passengers in this time of duress. Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has been constantly monitoring the situation for safe evacuation of the all incoming passengers.

Most taxis, Ola, Uber services have been off the roads due to decisions taken by various players and associations not to operate vehicles to make people safer from coronavirus. In this situation, Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has given more than 500 buses covering various airports and railway stations to provide transportation to people and to avoid public inconveniences at airports and railway stations. The ASTC has pressed more than 500 buses to help the passengers arriving in Assam from different states by train and air on the day of Janata Curfew and on March 23 and 24.

The department said that till Tuesday, they have received passengers from a total of 20 trains and approx 160 flights. Approximately 16,000 people who arrived by air and 12,000 people who arrived by rail were assisted from various airports and railway stations of state.

“The ASTC officials received passengers from Guwahati and provided them transportation to Barak Valley, Agartala, Shillong, Karbi Anglong, Central Assam, North Assam, Upper Assam and Lower Assam”, the body stated in a press release.

ASTC has provided these services at Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta Road, Nalbari, Rangia, Guwahati, Kamakhya, Lumding, Jorhat, Nazira, Mariani, Sonari, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia railway stations. Similar services were provided at each station of northern Assam.

Each railway station and airport had only one exit point so that all passengers could be screened. After completing the screening, medical check-up and other due formalities, the passengers were transported to their respective destinations.

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