Punctuality & cleanliness benchmarks for ASTC: CM

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 4: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today said that to bring back the faith of the people to Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) it has to strictly adhere to the benchmarks of discipline, punctuality and cleanliness.

While flagging off a fleet of 46 AC buses for Greater Guwahati connectivity under JnNURM II at ISBT Guwahati, Sonowal termed ASTC as the symbol of Assamese identity. He said to bring back the glory days of the corporation both the civil society and the Government must work hand in hand so that ASTC can contribute meaningfully to the State’s economy. In order to achieve ASTC’s transition from a loss-making venture to profit-making one, the officials and staff of the Corporation will have to work dedicatedly and sincerely.     

Sonowal outlined the courteous behaviour of the staff running ASTC buses towards the general public and regular maintence of the buses at every station as the key points to bring about the revival of ASTC. Cleanliness of the buses is of paramount importance and for that general people would also need to cooperate.  He said 58 more such buses would be pressed into service in the next phase.  

Chief Minister reiterated that the ASTC is not only for profit making but it also needs to carry the message of Swach Bharat to the remotest corner of the state through its clean and proper maintence of the modern buses. Unnecessary delay in reaching destitions will have to be strictly avoided so that the people put their faith on ASTC and people feel a sense of belonging to the buses. Modern buses will only be successful when the people consider them as their own property and thereby help in keeping them clean.   

State Transport Minister Chandramohan Patowary also spoke on the occasion, and said that ASTC’s fortunes would be turned around through hard work and dedication. The history of the Corporation might not have been great but from now onwards ASTC will write a successful chapter through teamwork and innovation. Some strict decisions might also be taken in the interest of the Cooperation but employees must support such initiatives for reviving ASTC which was established in 1970. He reiterated that with a Team Assam attitude the Government and civil society would take the State to greater heights.   

Chief Minister, along with other dignitaries, was also given short tour in the bus and explained the workings of the buses.

Dispur MLA Atul Bora, Morigaon MLA Ramanta Deori, Commissioner and Secretary Transport Department Ashutosh Agnihotri, Maging Director ASTC AP Tiwari were also present on the occasion, among others.