Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday flagged off 20 modern Mercedes Benz buses at a programme held at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Sonowal said with rolling off the fleet of the buses, Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has very competitively emerged to serve the people of the state.
Stating that though the people of the state had a negative impression towards efficacy of the ASTC, the present state government has changed the weaknesses of ASTC into its strength and as a result, the organisation has attained dynamism in its operation.
He also said there should be a qualitative improvement of the bus services of ASTC.
The Assam CM at the same time observed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his inspirational leadership has brought about remarkable changes not only in the developmental narratives of the country but also in creating positive temperament to the people.
Guided and inspired by the PM, the Assam government has also ventured in to bring about positive and qualitative changes in the development contour of the state.
Stating that Marcedes-Benz buses are known for their superior performance, Sonowal said that the buses inducted in ASTC need to be looked after to sustain their good services for long.
Sonowal at the same time congratulated the Transport department for its impressive performance especially during the COVID19 lockdown.
He also inaugurated the services of wheelchair for boarding and deboarding the bus.
Considering several cancer patients of the state who go to Mumbai for advanced oncological treatment, Sonowal asked the ASTC authority to start bus service within one week to facilitate their conveyance from Assam Bhawan to hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary thanked the employees of the ASTC for rendering their duties dedicatedly during the COVID19 pandemic.
He at the same time announced that the corporation would very shortly start pink bus services free of cost for the women as well as free bus services for the senior citizens.