Srinagar: Growing discontent is brewing within Srinagar’s private transport sector, as drivers and vehicle owners have accused authorities of arbitrarily closing several key routes and introducing major diversions, severely impacting both transporters and commuters.
Members of the Kashmir Transport Welfare Association said that the recent administrative measures have crippled the already struggling private transport industry, leaving hundreds of families on the brink of financial ruin.
“When the state of this industry is already unstable, several of our routes, such as Pampore, Narbal, and Budgam, have been closed,” Sheikh Muhammad Yousuf, General Secretary of the Association told the news agency Kashmir News Trust. “This has not only affected the livelihood of transporters but also subjected commuters to severe hardship.”
Sheikh Muhammad Yousuf said that the number of private passenger vehicles operating within Srinagar city has drastically fallen over the years. “In 2006, around 1,800 vehicles were operating; now we have barely 800 left. Even the few remaining vehicles are constantly targeted, and every day new restrictions are being introduced to push our families into distress,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as “unjustified route extensions,” citing examples such as the Lal Chowk–Soura route, which has been stretched from 12 to 17 kilometers. “This wastes fuel and valuable time. Passengers are forced to spend more money and reach their destinations late,” he added.
Mukhtar Ahmad, another transporter, said, “The private vehicle services must be restored immediately. Though some buses are running, the waiting time is long, and daily commuters — including students and patients, are facing huge difficulties.”
Transporters allege that the ongoing restrictions are part of a larger attempt to weaken the private transport network in favor of other services. They demanded that the administration restore traditional routes and hold consultations with stakeholders before implementing new traffic plans.
Appealing directly to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Association urged immediate intervention to “protect the livelihoods of thousands of transporters” and ensure that “the people of Srinagar are not left stranded due to unilateral administrative decisions.” [KNT]
