Why Assam Government's Pink Buses for women are missing from the streets of Guwahati

On January 9, 2021, the Assam government launched the “Bhraman Sarathi” scheme, a social welfare initiative to provide free bus services to women and senior citizens in Guwahati. Under this scheme, initiated by the then chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) introduced around two-dozen Pink-coloured buses on the streets of Guwahati amid much fanfare. Nearly four years later, the buses are nowhere to be seen. An India Today NE investigation found the buses stranded at ASTC’s central workshop complex in Rupnagar area. 

The ASTC, responsible for operating the pink buses, has been struggling with losses and is not in a position to continue the services. Abandoning the short-term financial support initially earmarked for it, the Assam government is now focusing on reviving the corporation and reversing its annual losses. Consequently, plans are underway to lease out these stranded buses. Assam Minister of Transport, Excise and Fisheries Parimal Suklabaidya told India Today NE that while the government had initially bore the fuel expenses, the government’s budget for the fiscal year 2022–2023 did not include these costs, leading to the discontinuation of the pink bus service.

The government’s 2020-21 budget allocated Rs 148 crore for the scheme. However, records indicate that while an order sanctioning Rs 9.5 crore was issued on January 16, 2021, only Rs 177.36 lakh was released. Subsequently, Rs 91.91 lakh were released on December 29, 2021.However Managing director of the transport department Rahul has declined to comment on the Bhraman Sarathi scheme's pink bus.