NST
DEPARTMENT:
The Nagaland State Transport came into
being as a utility service Department rather than a commercial venture, like any other
development Department of the Government of Nagaland. The primary objective of the
Department like all other S.T.U.’s in the country is to provide efficient, adequate
and economic as well as co-ordinated transport facility to the people of Nagaland.
Initially NST buses were the only means of
passenger transport in the State, when it was created way back in 1965. The State of
Nagaland being land- locked with hilly terrain, road transport is the only means of
transport both for passenger and goods services. Therefore socio-economic development of
Nagaland entirely depends on roads and road transport, wherein the role of NST Department
is paramount in the absence of alternative means of transport.
Service offered to Public and its Location:
In the present scenario, with the emergence of private
operators in passenger transport, the NST still plays the important role of providing the
lowest fare in passenger services to the poor rural population. The private operators are
mostly providing service only on profitable routes with higher rate of fare. Therefore,
the passenger service rendered by the Department is essential to the poor rural public of
the state.
The Department presently operates 112 scheduled services
throughout the state covering 21,300 scheduled KM daily. ( Click here for Route Operated by NST )
The operational activities are carried out from the following
operational centers.
Sl.No
Place
Designation of Officer in charge.
1.
Dimapur
Assistant General Manager
2.
Kohima
“
3.
Phek
“
4.
Wokha
“
5.
Mokokchung
Station
Superintendent.
6.
Tuensang
“
7.
Mon
“
8.
Zunheboto
“
9.
Amguri
“
10.
Kiphire
Asstt. Station Superintendent.
11.
Pfutsero
“
12.
Tuli
Asstt. in charge.
Commitment of the Department:
The Department is required to provide bus services to the
satisfaction of the travelers in terms of regularity, punctuality and free of breakdowns.
Every station and sub station is required to display
timetable of schedules with specific time of departure and arrival. Frequency of schedules
in terms of hours and weekdays should also be notified clearly. A scheduled service is a
commitment by the department to the public, which should be fulfilled, to their
expectation.
Also the fare chart in detail for all the scheduled stoppages
and the terminal point are to be displayed so as to let the passengers know the actual
fare amount to pay.
For any grievances or complaint, the public can have their
grievances addressed directly to the Station Officer in charge.
Facilities and amenities available
for passenger:
At every station, there are supervisory level traffic staffs
to oversee that the services are operated regularly and punctually and also to provide
correct and proper information of its services and amenities available to the passenger at
the enquiry counter.
The Department is having an extra edge over the private
operator in providing amenities to the passenger. Most of the private operators could not
even provide the minimum amenities to its passengers, such as seats for waiting and
toilets, whereas the Department apart from the basic amenities also provides canteen and
stalls to cater to the essential and urgent needs of the commuters within its station
premises.
Passenger Safety:
Passenger safety is one of the primary concerns for the
Department and every care is taken in maintenance of the buses and its operations by the
crew so as to ensure safety to the commuters. The Department has a good reputation in
passenger safety as the rate of accident is very low and has recently bagged the Safety
Award Trophy of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) New Delhi.
In fact, passenger safety is taken into consideration in
building bus bodies that are strong and safer in case of some unfortunate accident.
Social benefits:
There are concessions to the
extent of free passage to physically handicapped persons and also with an attendant for
those who are totally disabled. Similarly free pass facility is allowed to the accredited
Journalist.
In the event of any eventuality out of accident the passenger
is entitled to certain compensation. In case of death the next of kin to the victim is
compensated with Rs. 50,000/- and for the person permanently injured with Rs. 25,000/-
under ‘No Fault Liabilities’.
How public can help the Department:
The performance of the Department
is evaluated in terms of revenue collections. In this area the public can play a vital
role in helping the Department to enhance its efficiency in 2 ways.
Firstly, the passenger should
always pay the correct fare to the right person authorized for collection of revenue.
There have been instances in which some passengers do not pay the fare which adversely
affect the revenue collection.
Secondly, after paying the correct fare always insist on
issue of ticket by the person who received the money. This would remove the chances of
revenue pilferage by the staffs who handles revenues as there is always the tendency to
misappropriate Government revenue if proper receipt and accounting is not done in a
systematic manner.
Public suggestions and complaints:
Users are the best judges for any service they avail.
Therefore, passengers have every right to give feed back on the quality of service they
get from the Department. Suggestions and complaints if any can be addressed to the Station
Officer in-charge or the General Manger. However, such letter should be authenticated by
furnishing the genuine Name and Address of the signatory.
Sd/-
General Manager,
Nagaland State Transport,
Dimapur,
Nagaland. |
