Bus rides have become comfortable, but have led to other problems

Roop Bhuyan,

Sreenagar

lGuwahati is no longer a small town. Therefore, the decision of the administration to space out bus stops for deluxe service is justified.

Citizens have to get used to walking some distance in order to get a means of conveyance. This is a hard fact of city life. In every city, people travel long distances, often changing the modes of communication from point to point.

So long, we had got used to deluxe buses stopping any and everywhere, sometimes even in front of residences. Maybe that is why the people are finding it hard to accept the new arrangement. But then we have to accept that this plan is for better movement of traffic.

We cannot complain about traffic congestion and at the same time not co-operate with the administration in improving the flow of traffic.

priya phukan,

Lachitnagar

lEven the detractors of the administration’s decision to space out bus stops will agree that it is now a pleasure to travel by deluxe bus, especially long distances.

Earlier, a deluxe bus was like any ordinary bus, sometimes even worse because its tall seats hamper easy movement inside the bus.

The drivers of these vehicles also drove rashly, leading to accidents. Following the spacing out of bus stands, this kind of driving has declined.

At the same time, since the stops have been minimised, office and college goers can now reach their destinations quickly. Traffic flow is also smoother. The administration has done well to take a strict action on this issue.

latika paul,

Bishnupur

lThe administration’s decision deserves bouquets, not brickbats.

With the minimising of bus stops, travelling from one point in the city to another does not take as long as it used to earlier. Passengers can also travel comfortably and not get into arguments with each other over who’s stepping on whose toes and so on. This, in turn, has reduced the stress for officegoers and students. Maybe now we can hope for a more congenial work atmosphere too? If one has travelled comfortably, one does not mind walking an extra kilometre to reach one’s destination.

ganesh chandra bhattacharjee,

Lachitnagar

lThe decision to space out bus stops is not justified. Marking out only 10 stops in the entire length from Adabari to Beltola makes little sense. Withdrawing important stops like Lachitnagar and Fancy Bazar has only added to commuters’ woes.

What is the plight of one who wishes to travel from Fancy Bazar to Lachitnagar? He has to take an auto or an ordinary bus to Bharalumukh point first, board a deluxe bus, get off at either Ulubari or travel on to Bhangagarh and then walk a kilometre or maybe more to reach Lachitnagar point.

Along the route, share-autos are also not available so that one is compelled to walk. For women, children and the elderly, the new decision is a nightmare. We appeal to the administration to rescind the decision at the soonest or at least include a few more stops.

suleiman khan,

Chatribari

lGuwahati is a city only in terms of population. As far as infrastructure goes, the city has nothing to boast of. Therefore, the administration’s decision to space out bus stops like in big cities will not work here.

People do not mind walking if there are proper footpaths along the road. But on none of the city thoroughfares, not even the G.S. Road, are there proper footpaths for people to walk. Most are concrete drain covers, from which some slabs are even missing. Some parts of these so-called footpaths have even been encroached upon.

Besides, there are no alternate and cheap means of communication. Auto fares are dear and rickshaws have also been withdrawn from the main roads. The city’s traffic congestion problem should have been solved keeping in mind its peculiar problems.

Merely transposing measures that have succeeded in other cities will not do. The administration will have to think of novel ways.

In other cities, there are broad footpaths and alternative means of transport. Do we have the same facilities here?

sushim thapa,

Paltan Bazar

lBus stops had to be spaced out because in the earlier set-up, the stops were one too many. But after the new decision, the problem pendulum has shifted to the other extreme. The stops are now too few.

Reducing the stops to only 10 in a route has made life miserable for commuters. Bus services are for the benefit of common people and hence should not inconvenience them in any way.