SHILLONG: They were meant to move and carry people. About eight years down the line though, they have turned into a sorry spectacle, consigned to rot in various locations of the city.
Mawblei, Nongmynsong and Ishyrwat are the few places where one can have a glimpse of the buses that have been left unattended.
Although the state government has been contemplating auctioning off a few of the buses which are still in running condition, the number of incapacitated buses has raised one too many an eye brow.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Urban Affairs Minister Hamlet Dohling said that 52 buses will be auctioned off while a few others will undergo repair work.
“We are awaiting reports from the transport department on this,” Dohling said.
Acknowledging that even minor problems would render the buses useless due to unavailability of spare parts, Dohling said that there are several problems which could have been easily handled if the earlier dispensation had planned things over properly before getting the buses.
“Minor problems like not having spare parts and having to wait for days resulted in all of this. If we have to purchase new buses we will take all of these into consideration,” he added.
Dohling said that with the available funds, the government is also looking to replace the old buses with new ones.
“Earlier we did not know, but now we do and we will take the right path. We will check the finances before purchasing new ones,” he said.
On being asked about the maxi cabs, Dohling said that the matter is being handled by the municipal department and that they are waiting for the reports from the transport department.