Assam: Driving Licenses, Transport Permits, & Registration Certificates Facing Expiry amid Lockdown Extended till Jun 30

Guwahati, April 26, 2020:

Assam Transport, Industries and Commerce Minister Chandramohan Patowary has informed that the validity of transport permits, driving licenses, registration certificates, which will expire during this lockdown period, has been extended till June 30.

Addressing the media here today, the Minister also said that to ensure the smooth movement of trucks, 45 dhabas have been ordered to be kept open on highways, for truck drivers. They will be "observing all precautions", Patowary informed, adding that the list of dhabas has been shared with all the states.

Similarly, 85 truck repair shops are being kept open as per instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"The officials and staff of Transport Department have been working constantly for transportation of trucks so that the supply chain remains uninterrupted. Therefore there has no shortage of essential goods in Assam", Patowary further assured.

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Patowary said that the CM has directed that all departments must work in close coordination and instructed the officials to properly address any issue or challenge.

Patowary said that the Health Department has set up its infrastructure and manpower to in order to combat the COVID-19 in the NE states. "In addition to Health Department, Chief Minister also directed that other departments, particularly Transport, Agriculture, PHE, Water Resources, Food and Civil Supplies etc. must work in unison so that all essential needs of citizens are met", Patowary said.

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"During this difficult time, Transport Department has been coordinating with the Indian Railways and Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Assam and other North Eastern states. The objective was to maintain the food chain undisrupted", Patowary informed the media.

"Essential drugs and medicines to all North East States are supplied from Guwahati. Transport Department facilitated movement of these drugs to places like Agartala and Imphal. Likewise, trucks were arranged for sending masks and other Covid protection items to Aizawl, on request from Government of Mizoram", Patowary added.

Essential commodities have been unloaded in 28 railway points in 18 districts, Patowary informed, adding that an average about 1,500 trucks are being mobilized every day and so far 44,624 trucks-trips have been made in the state to unload 357 railway rakes, with 31,435 man-days work of labourers. "This includes essential items like rice, wheat, edible oil, salt, sugar, potato, onion etc", he added.

"To ensure sufficient availability of food stock, 179 rakes of FCI have been brought to Assam for the entire North East – carrying 4.7 LMT rice and 0.21 LMT wheat. Out of these, 3.75 LMT rice and 0.14 LMT wheat is for Assam. Further, 21 more rakes carrying 27 LMT rice is enroute to Assam". Patowary added.

Meanwhile, the Assam State Transport Corporation has also been extending support to manage the situation arising from the pandemic in the State by providing 211 buses which are now operating in coordination with district administrations, hospitals, police and municipal bodies. "Out of these 211 buses, 39 buses are operating with Health Department and facilitating the movement of health officials", Patowary said.

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