Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kulgam, Feb 25: The twin bus stands, shifted recently in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district to ease traffic congestion and streamline smooth traffic flow, lack basic amenities, leaving passengers, commuters and drivers irked.
Passengers and drivers said that the bus stands at Laroo and Chawlagam lack basic facilities like electricity, shelter sheds and washroom blocks.
“There is no shelter shed for protection from harsh weather. Passengers have to wait for vehicles under an open sky during rain and snowfall,” Iqbal Ali, a commuter, said.
He said due to the lack of public washrooms in the bus stands; the drivers as well as passengers are forced to defecate and urinate in the open.
Mohammad Maqbool, a driver, said they are facing many problems including a lack of electricity. “From evenings, it looks like a ghost market,” he said.
The passengers said that before shifting the bus stands to Laroo and Chawalgam district, the Kulgam administration should have ensured such basic facilities here.
An official from the district administration admitted that bus stands lack such facilities.
“Both stands have been shifted recently to overcome the issue of traffic jams in Kulgam town. All such facilities will be available soon,” he said.
