Letters to the EDITOR: Guwahati’s City Bus System

Guwahati’s city bus system

Guwahati, the bustling metropolis nestled in the heart of Assam, has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its public transportation infrastructure. At the forefront of this endeavour lies the city’s revamped bus system, poised to redefine convenience, accessibility, and sustainability for its residents.

With an ever-growing population and escalating urbanisation, the demand for efficient transportation solutions has become paramount. Recognizing this need, Guwahati has taken bold strides to modernise its city bus network, catering to the diverse needs of commuters while addressing environmental concerns. One of the cornerstones of this transformation is the introduction of a fleet of modern, eco-friendly buses equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. These buses not only promise a comfortable ride but also significantly reduce carbon emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Moreover, Guwahati’s revamped bus system prioritises accessibility, ensuring that every corner of the city is seamlessly connected. With strategically planned routes and enhanced frequency, commuters can now navigate the urban landscape with unparalleled ease, fostering greater mobility and connectivity. In addition to enhancing convenience, the city bus system also champions inclusivity by offering affordable fare options and accommodating special needs passengers. By prioritising accessibility, Guwahati ensures that public transportation remains a viable option for all segments of society, regardless of economic status or physical abilities. Furthermore, the integration of technology has been pivotal in optimising the efficiency of Guwahati’s bus system. Real-time tracking mechanisms, mobile ticketing services, and passenger information systems empower commuters with the information they need to plan their journeys effectively, reducing wait times and minimising disruptions.

As Guwahati continues to evolve into a modern, sustainable city, its commitment to enhancing public transportation stands as a testament to its vision for a more connected and inclusive urban landscape. By revolutionising its city bus system, Guwahati not only addresses the immediate transportation needs of its residents but also paves the way for a greener, more equitable future.

Munmee Roy,

Gauhati University

Impact of deforestation on wildlife

Through the column of your esteemed daily newspaper, I wish to bring attention to the dire consequences of deforestation on wildlife, an issue that demands urgent collective action. These days, deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate, leaving behind a trail of destruction for both nature and its inhabitants.

I am writing to express my deep concern about two recent and heartbreaking incidents that highlight the growing challengs faced by wildlife due to human interference. On 22nd November in Fatasil Hills, a leopard tragically fell to its death from a hill. The exact cause of the accident is unclear, but such incidents are often linked to habitat destruction and human activities disrupting events. Also, a tigress was pelted with stones in the Kaliabor area of the Nagaon district while drinking water at a river and was unable to return to the forest due to its injuries. This magnificent creature now faces an uncertain feature. Wildlife conflict is caused by deforestation habitat fragmentation, the encroachment of human settlement into forest areas. As natural water sources decrease due to deforestation, animals are compelled, leading to fear, misunderstanding, and sometimes violence. The root cause of such conlicts is deeply tied to unchecked urbanisation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and a lack of effective conservation strategies and poor enforcement of wildlife protection laws exacerbates the problem. It is imperative for us to address these issues urgently. Authorities must implement better forest management practices, preserve wildlife corridors, and restore degraded habitats; community education is equally vital to promote coexistence and reduce fear-driven reactions towards wildlife, and installing safe drinking water sources for animals within forests can also porevent them from straying into human settlements.

Ruksana Shakwa,

Pragjyotish College,

Guwahati

Enigmatic Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has declared that she will not contest polls again till the Election Commission (EC) "stops fake votes". Her party lost badly in the Uttar Pradesh bye-elections, with some lesser-known parties making inroads into the much-touted Dalit bastion of Mayawati. The BSP supremo's inability to become part of coalition politics has baffled all. Despite keeping to herself of late, in Uttar Pradesh politics none could ignore Mayawati. While shrewd Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party president, quietly went about stitching alliances, Mayawati willingly or otherwise preferred to look the other way. Politics is about perception, and people are here to judge their leaders by the latter's approach and attitude more than anything else.

Admittedly, Mayawati has not been her usual self in electoral politics over the last decade.

The four-time chief minister had high hopes for the BSP in the 2017 assembly elections. But the party cut a sorry figure bagging only 19 seats, swept away by the Narendra Modi wave. However, the humiliation was complete in 2022, as the BSP could win only 1 out of 403. Despite allegations of massive corruption during her chief ministerial tenures, the 68-year-old BSP chief has always been admired for her efficient administration and social engineering. The fighter that she is, Mayawati would know that no other leader would do full justice to her vote bank. But, by the look of things, she appears to have chosen to fade into oblivion.

Dr. Ganapathi Bhat,

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

Healing revolution

It is very easy to hurt than heal. In a world suffering from a dearth of soothing hands to heal wounds, a healer of somewhat different kind recently caught my attention. Ememem is an anonymous French artist who fills cracks on roads and pavements with beautiful mosaics for which he is being affectionately called 'pavement surgeon.' He mostly performs his "beautiful surgeries" at night, surprising people at dawn. Can we expect such selfless service in our country too? I doubt that. We even expect the government to fill the pothole in front of our gate!

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur