Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jul 3: Public transport in almost every district and route in Kashmir is being significantly impacted by the increased use of passenger vehicles for picnics and tourist activities.
Residents from various areas of Kashmir said that they have been facing problems as there is hardly any public transport available on most routes because these vehicles are being used for picnics.
Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Litter Pulwama, said there used to be over 20 minibuses plying on the Anantnag-Litter route daily. However, for the past two months, they have been facing problems due to the unavailability of public transport on the route. “Out of 20 minibuses, 19 had gone for a picnic today, leaving only one vehicle plying on the route, causing public suffering,” he said.
Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Chakoora, echoed the same concerns, saying, “While we are not against picnics, at least 50 percent of the vehicles must be kept available for public use on the route, while the other 50 percent can be used for picnics. The students, people visiting hospitals for treatment and others have been suffering due to this issue.”
Residents from other routes said the trend of using passenger vehicles for picnics is leading to a shortage of public transport options for regular commuters on many routes. They said the rise in recreational trips has resulted in many public buses and shared cabs being diverted for private use, especially on weekends. Consequently, local residents face difficulties in accessing reliable transportation for their daily needs.
People said they have already brought this issue to the attention of the authorities and are hopeful that necessary steps will be taken in this regard. They have sought the attention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and RTO Kashmir to issue guidelines and ensure that the public does not suffer.
