Assam Government removes 50% cap; Buses can ply with full seats occupied

All Assam Transport Association had called for a Chakka Bandh on Monday demanding the removal of a 50% cap on passengers induced by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Today, the health department has issued an order, where they stated that they have received a communication whereby it is being informed that the passenger buses and the City buses are presently incurring huge losses since these are plying with 50% capacity as per the existing COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and has been requested to allow 100% sitting of passengers as per capacity in case of all passenger transport in the state of Assam.

The order states, “The Health and Family Welfare Department after careful consideration of all aspects of the matter in the recent guidelines of the reopening of activities issued by the government of India from time to time have decided to agree with the request of the transport department.”

The MoHFW has made it compulsory for vehicles to follow the following guidelines:

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 without mask.

The vehicle’s owner will ensure the availability of sanitizer in the vehicle and the vehicle will be sanitized after every completion of a journey on one route.

Driver and other staff will wear masks at all times

The health department has made it clear that the transport department will take strict action if the guidelines are violated.