Sumo drivers fleece passengers on Gurez-Bandipora route, authorities silent

Bandipora, Nov 17: People from Gurez on Thursday complained they are being overcharged by cabs, accusing authorities of failing to act against the violators.
A passenger delegation from Gurez said that Sumo drivers are charging them double the fare from Gurez to Bandipora for the last few weeks. They said the administration is not taking any note of the issue.
“From Gurez to Bandipora, we used to pay Rs 350 but now we are being charged 1000 per passenger,” said Mohammad Aslam, a passenger.
He said that the government has given free hand to them to fleece passengers.
According to him, officials of the transport department are aware about the practice but are turning a blind eye to the issue.
“Sumo drivers charge Rs 1000 from Gurez to Bandipora taking undue advantage of the situation arising out of snowfall,” Abdul Hameed, another passenger said. Similar complaints were made by other passengers as well.
The passengers urged the concerned authorities to keep a regular check on this transporter service charging exorbitant prices from passengers.
ARTO Bandipora, Bilal Ahmad Mir said that the passengers should report to his office and drivers involved in the unfair practice will be blacklisted.