Assam Transport Minister urges shift to public transport amid fuel price rise
Synopsis
Newly appointed Assam Transport Minister Charam Boro has called on residents to ditch private vehicles for buses and trains as fuel prices bite — and says the state government is already walking the talk by slashing ministerial convoys and moving departmental meetings online.
Key Takeaways
Assam Transport Minister Charam Boro appealed on 19 May for residents to reduce private vehicle use amid rising petrol and diesel prices .
Boro had formally assumed charge of the department only a day before making the appeal in Guwahati .
The state government has already reduced ministerial convoys and shifted departmental meetings online to cut fuel use.
The minister flagged rising traffic congestion in city roads as a separate but linked concern requiring regulatory action.
Further policy steps will be taken in consultation with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after departmental review.
Assam Transport Minister Charam Boro on Tuesday, 19 May appealed to residents across the state to cut back on private vehicle use and switch to buses and trains, citing the sustained rise in petrol and diesel prices. The appeal came shortly after Boro formally assumed charge of the transport department in Guwahati.
The Minister's Appeal
Speaking to reporters after taking office, Boro said collective action by the public could meaningfully ease fuel consumption pressure during the current period of elevated prices. “If people use buses and trains instead of private vehicles, even to a small extent, it will help us deal with the present circumstances,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that he had only recently taken charge and had not yet held detailed meetings with departmental officials, but indicated that a step-by-step review of transport infrastructure and policy was already underway. “I took charge only yesterday. I have not yet held detailed meetings, but I will review everything and start working on the issues step by step,” Boro said.
Government Leading by Example
Boro pointed out that the Assam government had already begun curbing unnecessary official travel. Ministerial convoys and district visits have been scaled back, and many departmental meetings have shifted online to reduce fuel expenditure. “Even ministerial convoys and district visits have been reduced. Departmental meetings can also be conducted online. In the same way, people may also think about reducing the use of private vehicles during this period of high fuel prices,” he said.
Traffic Congestion in Focus
The minister also flagged growing traffic congestion in city roads as a parallel concern, acknowledging that the rising number of both private vehicles and buses on Guwahati’s streets was straining commuters. “We do not want a situation where passengers suffer due to traffic congestion in the city. We will frame rules and take necessary steps to manage the situation properly,” Boro added.
What Comes Next
Boro said detailed discussions with the transport department would follow, and that further policy directions would be taken in consultation with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The government is reportedly reviewing measures to ease commuter pressure and upgrade public transport facilities statewide. This comes amid a broader national conversation about fuel affordability, with petrol and diesel prices having remained elevated across India in recent months.
Point of View
And without a credible expansion plan, the minister’s appeal risks sounding like a plea for sacrifice rather than a policy solution. The government’s decision to cut its own convoys and go online for meetings is a meaningful signal, but it is symbolic at scale. The real test will come when Boro tables concrete upgrades to bus frequency, route coverage, and last-mile connectivity — details conspicuously absent from his first-day remarks.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Assam’s transport minister asking people to use public transport?
Minister Charam Boro made the appeal in response to rising petrol and diesel prices, arguing that a collective shift to buses and trains would help ease fuel consumption pressure on both households and the state. He made the statement on 19 May after formally assuming charge of the transport department.
What steps has the Assam government already taken to reduce fuel use?
The government has scaled back ministerial convoys and district visits, and shifted many departmental meetings to online formats. Boro cited these measures as examples the public could follow by reducing their own private vehicle use.
Who will decide Assam’s next transport policy steps?
Minister Boro said further directions will be taken in consultation with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after he completes a review of the transport department’s operations, infrastructure, and existing policies.
What is the government doing about traffic congestion in Guwahati?
Boro acknowledged growing congestion caused by the rising number of private vehicles and buses on city roads. He said the government would frame rules and take necessary steps to manage the situation, though specific measures were not announced.
Has Charam Boro held departmental meetings since taking charge?
No. Boro stated that he had taken charge only the previous day and had not yet held detailed meetings with officials. He said he would review all departmental operations and address issues step by step.
