Guwahati, Sep 15 (IANS): Assam is set to give a major technology push to its public transport system, with Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses being equipped with an Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) aimed at improving passenger safety, operational efficiency and travel experience.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state’s buses are being made “not just smarter, but incredibly safer” through the adoption of the new system.
Under ITMS, ASTC buses will have real-time GPS tracking, allowing their movement to be monitored and providing passengers and transport authorities with greater visibility over bus operations.
The system is also designed to support smarter scheduling, potentially helping reduce passenger waiting times and improving fleet management.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of emergency panic/SOS buttons inside buses.
According to the information shared by the Chief Minister, these emergency systems will be directly linked to control centres, with the objective of strengthening emergency response and enhancing safety, particularly for women passengers.
The upgraded system will also support automated ticketing and e-payments, reducing dependence on conventional ticketing processes and bringing digital payment facilities into everyday public transport.
The government says the technology-driven overhaul is intended to make ASTC operations more responsive and efficient while improving the overall safety environment for passengers.
The introduction of ITMS comes as Assam continues to expand the use of technology in public services and transport infrastructure.
Real-time monitoring can also help authorities track fleet movement, identify operational delays and respond more effectively to incidents on the road. The initiative could prove particularly significant in a state where public buses remain an important mode of transportation connecting urban centres with smaller towns and rural areas.
With GPS-enabled tracking, digital ticketing, emergency response mechanisms and smart scheduling being integrated into the fleet, the Assam government is positioning ITMS as a new phase in the modernisation of ASTC.
The move is expected to make public transport more technology-driven while placing greater emphasis on passenger security, accountability and convenience.
