Guwahati: The city has received an additional 100 electric buses under the Assam State Transport Corporations (ASTC), with plans to gradually phase out private diesel-run buses, according to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.While the govt has projected the move as a turning point towards making the transportation landscape more sustainable, private bus owners have raised objections, lamenting that they are uncertain about what the future holds for them under this proposed transition.Addressing the media, Sarma had said, “Under the Prime Minister’s initiative, Guwahati has received another 100 electric buses. I think, by next year, if required, we can withdraw more diesel buses in the city. Now, we have the capacity.”He further said currently the city has 271 electric buses and 100 CNG buses, which are under the Assam State Transport Corporations (ASTC). These electric buses have been granted under the 2023 central govt’s ‘PM e-bus sewa’ initiative, aimed at reducing air pollution and promoting electric mobility.For the initiative’s success, the state govt has been withdrawing privately owned diesel buses from major routes in the city. Following this move, the Metropolitan Transport Association, Guwahati (MTAG), filed a writ petition at the Gauhati high court, challenging the decision of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to pull back diesel buses from routes 23 (Khanapara to Dharapur via Ganeshguri Flyover) and 36 (Basistha Mandir to Dharapur via Paltanbazar).However, during the hearing, it was maintained that the drivers were not removed and would be allowed to ply on these routes if they switched their vehicles to either electric or CNG.MTAG secretary Devraj Das said, “The court has given us an interim order allowing us to apply for fresh permits if we switch to an alternate route or convert our vehicles to CNG or electric. While conversion is still an option, there are currently not enough CNG or electric charging stations in the city to meet our needs. We had requested a timeline of one and a half years to ensure that adequate infrastructure is in place before we make the switch. We are at a tight spot now, with no time left for the conversion and practically no options.”Arshel Akhtar, a sustainable urban mobility advocate, said, “While electric vehicles are a positive step, this decision threatens bus operators’ income. Subsidised loans for conversions would help, and ASTC can serve routes currently without buses. If the aim is to reduce carbon emissions, it will only affect GS Road, and a proper study is needed to assess overall impact, so that it’s possible to achieve it.”Meanwhile, chairperson of RTA board, Swapneel Paul said they are currently deliberating on a rationalisation plan.
