The Health and Family Welfare Department of Assam on Thursday has decided to agree to the requests of Transport Department allowing buses to ply with 100 per cent seating from 9th October.
Recently the All Assam Motor Transport Association called for an indefinite Chakka Bandh in the state demanding a solution from the government for the losses they incurred during Covid – 19. In a meeting on Tuesday, Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed that the requests could be granted only after consideration of the health and welfare department.
The Health Department was earlier informed that the passenger buses and city buses are presently incurring huge losses since these have been plying with 50 per cent capacity as per existing Covid-19 norms. The Department was requested to allow 100% seating of passengers as per capacity of all passenger transport in the state of Assam.
After careful consideration of all the aspects of the matter and the recent guidelines for re-opening of activities issued by Government of India from time to time, the Health and Welfare Department decided to agree to the requests subject to Transport Department ensuring compliance with the following conditions:
- The vehicles will not carry passengers more than the allowed seating capacity.
- No passengers will be allowed to travel standing in the vehicle.
- The passengers will wear masks and no passenger will be allowed to board the vehicle without wearing mask.
- The vehicle owner will ensure the availability of sanitizer in the vehicle.
- The vehicle will be sanitized after every completion of a journey on a route.
- The driver and other staff will wear masks at all times in the vehicle.
Transport department will take strict action in case of violation of the extant Government guidelines and instructions. The bandh was withdrawn by AAMTA after their requests were considered.
(Feature image source: Sanjeevani Today)
