Guwahati: Tezpur University (TU) students protested and halted ASTC bus services between Tezpur town and the university campus, alleging that two buses were operating with fitness certificates that expired nearly a decade ago.Students blocked the main road leading to the campus for about four hours on Tuesday night, demanding immediate action. The blockade was lifted after ASTC officials reached the campus and gave a written assurance to address the demands.Students said TU and ASTC authorities assured them in writing that basic amenities would be improved and the transport system rectified. They said the incident highlighted safety risks for students travelling the nearly 15-km route between Tezpur town and the central university.Tonoy Protim Neog, a PhD scholar leading the protest, said, “From the transport department’s online records, we found that the registration, pollution, fitness and all other documents of the buses had failed. We even found that the driving licence of a bus driver also expired. Also, the basic amenities like fire extinguishers, first-aid boxes were missing.”Students said they had earlier reported an incident on Sept 10 involving a bus driver they described as drunk and alleged he misbehaved with students.Neog said students submitted a complaint to deputy registrar Anamika Pegu seeking action and were told a meeting would be held on Sept 16. He said that with no response, students decided to halt bus services and demanded that authorities meet them and address their concerns.An ASTC official said, “Fitness of the four buses that ply to TU is certified by in-house mechanical branch of ASTC. The allegations will be cross-checked.”A meeting of ASTC and TU stakeholders has been convened on Friday to discuss the issue. Officials said it may also consider revising the existing agreement between ASTC and the university on bus services.“As of today, bus fare to TU is at a concessional rate. But if new buses have to be provided, it may have to increase the fare, in case of new diesel or electric buses,” the official said.In a memorandum sent to the ASTC superintendent/divisional manager in Tezpur on Tuesday night, signatories on behalf of students, scholars, faculty and staff sought buses with valid documents and proper maintenance. They also alleged some drivers did not have valid licences and demanded that all drivers and conductors deployed on the route carry valid licences, uniforms, identity cards and other required documents. They also sought emergency equipment, CCTV cameras and GPS on the buses.
