APSTS - A Dedicated Service To Arunachal

TATA APSTS BUS DOING GUWAHATI - NAMSAI AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) was first started with two buses from Khonsa in Arunachal to Nahakartia in Upper Assam. on 15th December, 1975. The fleet of APSTS currently has more than 200 buses., operating on routes. APSTS stressed on providing adequate, reliable, economical and well co-ordinated bus services to the common masses of Arunachal Pradesh. APSTS connects remote areas in Arunachal to Guwahati - the gateway of North East and capital city of Assam. APSTS plays a vital role in linking towns like Aalo, Ziro, Pasighat, Bomdila, Kiming and Namsai with Guwahati, apart from connecting the capital city of Itanagar. The fleet consists of decade old tata acgl buses mostly, with new inclusions of tata marcopolo starbus ultra on some routes. On being asked about the ageing fleet of acgl coaches in APSTS, a controller of the STU (State Transport Unit)  of APSTS says, "The roads conditions to Arunachal from Assam are in a deplorable state due to annual floods and boulders and rocks which fall into roads due to landslides in hilly areas. These decade old buses have been kept in an optimum condition to adhere to the road conditions and APSTS tries well to maintain them". 

TATA APSTS BUS DOING GUWAHATI - NAMSAI AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

TATA APSTS BUS DOING GUWAHATI - NAMSAI AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

APSTS LOGO ON THE BUSES

The APSTS buses not only carry passengers, but they also prove to be a goods transport carrier. Due to the bad road conditions to Arunachal, very few trucks ply to the state. These buses carry essential goods and commodities to the state and thus helps maintaining the commercial links to the other towns and cities in North East. "Sometimes even we have to overload our buses with commodities packed in cartons. We are helpless to compromise safety, but there is no other means to transport the essentials through the difficult geographical terrains to the state", added the controller. 

TATA MARCOPOLO STARBUS ULTRA DOING GUWAHATI - ITANAGAR AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

TATA MARCOPOLO STARBUS ULTRA DOING GUWAHATI - ITANAGAR AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

"Sometimes we have to drive buses admist very adverse weather conditions like snow. The hilly terrains makes it more difficult. Its January, and its snowing in Bomdila, but still we drive in these conditions to continue to maintain the flow of goods and passengers as our duty", said one of the crew members of a Guwahati - Bomdila APSTS Coach. 

TATA ACGL APSTS COACH DOING GUWAHATI - BOMDILA AT GUWAHATI ISBT, ASSAM

CREW OF THE APSTS COACH  WHO SPOKE TO ME REGARDING THE TRAVELLING CONDITIONS

Travelling to the picturesque state of Arunachal Pradesh needs innerline permit due to security reasons. the same can be obtained from offices of Arunachal Government in most towns and cities in North East. Arunachal blessed with its beautiful landscape and sightseeing spots attract a large number of tourists throughout the year. Buses act as a cultural-connect in the region. APSTS and few private fleet operators help connecting people from the Land of the rising sun. APSTS in its service to the public have been quite dedicated in its service. With expected road conditions to improve, I sign off with a hope of development of  APSTS services - which will landmark a new beginning of an era of inter state communication in North East India. 

Acknowledgements : http://arunachalpradesh.gov.in/ 

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH. PIC COURTESY : GOOGLE