Day 2 of Chakka Bandh: Will die of starvation says bus operators of Guwahati

Running buses at 50% capacity and at same fares is incurring huge losses for the private bus operators
Day 2 of Chakka Bandh: Will die of starvation says bus operators of Guwahati

Guwahati: Today is the second day of the indefinite strike called by the All Assam Transport Association. Because of the Chakka Bandh, commuters, particularly office goers have had to face tough times despite the government providing 250 All Assam Transport Corporation's (ASTC) buses to ply as city buses and another 650 buses for inter-state movement. The private bus operators were forced to call for the strike because it had become increasingly difficult for the bus owners, transporters, and the drivers and handymen to make ends meet.

"We are somehow making ends meet. There have been days we have gone without food. Now we can carry only 15 or 16 passengers at any point of time. Fares are still the same. We are not even collecting enough to buy fuel," said one driver of a private city bus.

Post the lockdown, buses and other public transports like trackers and e-rickshaws have to run with 50 percent passengers only to ensure social distancing and other COVID protocol.

"In case of any violation, we have to pay a fine of Rs 1000-2000 to the police. It has been extremely problematic. We are not earning enough and on top of that, we have to pay fine. What do we do? I am now thinking of becoming a daily wage laborer," another bus driver said.

A transporter who has been in the city bus business since 1997 is now looking to opt for any other job to run his family. "I have a joint family, aging parents. I am now looking for an alternate profession because if the government does not help us in any way, very soon we might die to starvation," the bus operator said.

Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary is scheduled to hold a meeting with the representatives of the Transport Association later in the day today.

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com