Guwahati: Gaps in service reliability, route connectivity and bus stop infrastructure are making it harder for residents to rely on buses in Guwahati, according to a study launched at Purvca Samvad 2026.
The report, Guwahati on Board: Inside the Bus-Based Public Transportation System, examines the city’s bus network through research with commuters, people who do not use buses and bus operators. It considers both how the system operates and how passengers experience it, while also documenting the perspectives of bus crew, owners and other transport stakeholders.
The study describes buses as an important and relatively affordable public transport option, but says unreliable services, poor last-mile connections and inadequate facilities at bus stops discourage greater ridership.
Safety and comfort concerns also affect passengers, while bus owners and operators face economic and operational pressures that influence service delivery.
Its recommendations cover short-, medium- and long-term changes, including route planning and rationalisation, stronger service operations and enforcement, better passenger infrastructure and improved coordination among institutions. The report calls for a bus system that is more reliable, accessible and responsive to commuters’ needs.
Purvca Foundation, a Guwahati-based non-profit, convened the event at Kanaklal Barua Auditorium. Policymakers, urban mobility experts, transport practitioners, researchers and residents took part in panel discussions, keynote addresses and spotlight sessions on public transport, emissions and climate resilience.
The opening panel, “Think Buses: Building an Inclusive and Resilient Urban Mobility System,” was moderated by Dr. Abhinandan Saikia, associate professor at TISS Guwahati.
The panel included Tamsin Aftab, assistant commissioner in Assam’s Transport Department; Subhasish Borah, assistant director at the state Directorate of Town and Country Planning; Ashpreet Sethi of ICCT India; Rana Amani of GIZ India; and Nipjyoti Bharadwaj of IIT Guwahati.
The discussion considered safety, affordability, gender inclusion, accessibility and environmental sustainability. Speakers called for transport and urban planning to be treated as connected areas, with greater attention to walking infrastructure and coordination across departments.
They also discussed reducing reliance on private vehicles, rationalising bus routes and improving enforcement, operational discipline and monitoring to address issues such as bus bunching and unauthorised stops.
Two afternoon sessions examined emissions and the pressures on Guwahati’s transport network.
Dipankar Kakati of ICCT India presented “Vehicle Emissions in Reality: What On-Road Data Reveals and Why It Matters for Policy,” addressing the gap between laboratory-tested and real-world vehicle emissions, their public health impacts, and the need for stronger monitoring and a shift towards zero-emission vehicles.
Prof. Akhilesh Kumar Maurya of IIT Guwahati spoke on “Can Guwahati Keep Moving? Traffic, Flooding and Public Transport.” His session explored how congestion, urban flooding and an underperforming public transport system intersect, and called for integrated, data-driven planning and stronger coordination among city agencies.
Special addresses by Dr. Rahul Mahanta of Cotton University focused on urban development, climate resilience and inclusive public transport. Dr. Abhijit Sarma of IIBM, Guwahati, spoke about the links between land policy and transportation.
The concluding panel, “Voices from the City: Experiences from the Ground,” was moderated by Dr. Simanta Kalita. It brought together perspectives from senior citizens, bus ownership, LGBTQI+ advocacy, students and caregivers. The discussion centred on everyday experiences of using the city’s bus system, including concerns about access, safety, affordability and connectivity, as well as the different mobility needs of residents.
The programme also included a mime performance by Nirbaak, a group founded by mime artist Minangka Deka. Its young performers presented a humorous take on buses and passengers in Guwahati.
Purvca Samvad 2026 was supported by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Numaligarh Refinery Limited, GIZ India and ACCMS. The International Council on Clean Transportation India was the event’s knowledge partner.
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