Private diesel bus operators in Guwahati are raising strong objections against the government's decision to establish green corridors on two major city routes, claiming the move threatens their livelihoods and lacks proper infrastructure support.
December Deadline Sparks Livelihood Concerns
With December 31 set as the final deadline, the Khanapara-Dharapur and Basistha-Amingaon routes will officially transform into green corridors starting January next year, replacing diesel buses with electric and CNG alternatives. However, bus drivers and owners express deep frustration over what they call an impractical transition timeline.
Binod Das, a city bus driver, voiced the community's distress: "Our permit renewals have been cancelled, and from next year we won't be allowed to ply on these roads. With our current financial situation, we are in a dilemma — should we buy an electric bus or feed our families?"
The financial burden of shifting to expensive electric or CNG buses remains the primary concern for operators who argue that their earnings from driving buses are already insufficient to manage such a significant investment.
Legal Challenge and Infrastructure Gaps
The Metropolitan Transport Authority Guwahati (MTAG), representing the affected drivers, has approached the Gauhati High Court seeking additional time for implementation. MTAG secretary Devraj Das emphasized their position: "Since this is the government's final decision, we have appealed for a grace period of two to three years so that drivers can stabilize their business and phase out diesel buses gradually."
Das also questioned the selective targeting of private buses, arguing that if diesel vehicles must transition to electric, all vehicles operating on these routes should face similar requirements. He highlighted the absence of prior discussions between MTAG and the transport department before finalizing the decision.
The infrastructure shortcomings present another major hurdle. Das pointed out the practical challenges: "At present, there are not enough CNG stations to meet the needs of existing vehicles, let alone an increased fleet. The situation is similar for electric buses, where the number of charging stations is grossly inadequate."
Drivers often face additional burdens of traveling long distances or waiting for hours to recharge vehicles, directly impacting their working hours and daily earnings.
Environmental Concerns and Current Fleet Statistics
Beyond immediate operational issues, Das raised significant environmental questions about the long-term impact of lithium-ion batteries used in electric buses. He noted the absence of a well-structured plan for battery collection, recycling, or disposal, warning that discarded batteries could leak harmful chemicals into soil and water, creating new environmental hazards.
According to transport department statistics, approximately 300 private diesel buses currently operate in Guwahati, alongside 256 electric and 100 CNG buses. An official clarified that under the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme, electric and CNG buses will replace diesel buses on the designated green routes, while diesel buses will be reassigned to other routes within the city.
The standoff continues as the December deadline approaches, with bus operators hoping for either extended implementation timelines or revised plans that consider their financial constraints and the city's infrastructure readiness for a complete green transition.
