Assam: ASTC flags off bus service to Kasongmala in Ampri Valley
Guwahati: The long-pending Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) bus service to Kasongmala in the Ampri Valley was flagged off at Magurshila village on February 3, marking a major boost to connectivity for remote hill communities along the Assam–Meghalaya border.
The launch, organised by residents of the Ampri Valley, was led largely by women, women-run voluntary groups and self-help groups, reflecting sustained community mobilisation for public services in the region.
The programme was attended by Biswajit Saikia, Co-District Commissioner, Dimoria; Gautam Das, District Transport Officer, Kamrup Metropolitan; senior officials of ASTC and the Department of Telecommunications; police officials from the Dimoria Co-District; and a medical team led by Srabana Misra Bhagabati from B. Borooah Cancer Institute. The event opened with a traditional Karbi dance performed by women from the Ampri Valley.
Addressing the gathering, Saikia congratulated the community and thanked ASTC for initiating the service, stating that it would significantly ease daily travel to Sonapur and Guwahati. He said road construction up to Magurshila was nearing completion, land allotment processes were underway, and officials from the Department of Telecommunications were surveying mobile network gaps in the valley to extend connectivity.
The bus service was formally flagged off by Das. The District Transport Officer said the initiative stemmed directly from a Charter of Demands submitted by residents to the Governor of Assam and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in September last year. He said the Chief Minister had directed departments concerned to act on the demands without delay.
Urging community participation, Das appealed to residents to treat the service as their own and support its continued operation.
Delivering the welcome address, Anjumoni Rahang of Magurshila thanked officials for responding to the valley’s long-standing demands. Another resident, Biju Rahang, said the bus service would help students commute to schools and colleges in Sonapur and Guwahati. ASTC officials also sought cooperation from residents to ensure the sustainability of the service.
Rakesh Hazarika, Executive Director of the Centre for Efficient Governance, said the Charter of Demands had served as a democratic tool to facilitate administrative action. He added that residents would now engage closely with the Public Works (Roads) Department and the Department of Telecommunications to address road and mobile connectivity issues.
Calling the occasion historic, Bhibi Ingti of Pithagog said the launch marked a renewed sense of freedom for the Ampri Karbi community.
The ASTC service is expected to improve access to education, healthcare, markets and government services for more than 15,000 residents of the Ampri Valley, highlighting the impact of sustained, people-led civic engagement.