SHILLONG: The Urban Affairs Department has written to the Commissioner of Transport Department to give its feedback on buses and maxi cabs which are supposed to be auctioned.
Urban Affairs minister Hamlet Dohling said a feedback from the Transport Department is important before they could auction the buses and maxi cabs. “As soon as we get the report, we will start the process of auction,” he added.
The minister further informed that altogether 53 buses are lined up for auction.
Some vehicles have to be scrapped and some are repairable.
“The Urban Affairs Department had written to the Transport Department on several occasions for its feedback but there was no response,” Dohling said.
The minister on Friday urged the Commissioner of Transport to expedite the matter.
When asked about the poor maintenance of buses plying on the road, Dohling said orders were given to the operators to maintain the buses and some are maintaining while others ignored. “Those who don’t maintain the buses, we will give them showcase notice.”
The Centre sanctioned many buses and maxi cabs for Shillong and other parts of the state a few years ago but many of them are already damaged and not in running condition after 5-6 years into service. The condition of many buses and taxis in the city is far from being satisfactory.
The buses were launched in Shillong amid much fanfare and the vehicles were supposed to be tracked by GPS. Tickets were also to be given to passengers.
The idea behind introducing the buses were that these would not stop at the driver’s or the conductor’s will to get passengers and would stop only to embark and disembark passengers. But over the years, all such regulations have taken a backseat.
