Violations must face action

The local passenger buses in Srinagar and elsewhere are no longer following the rules set by the government with regard to ensuring seat reservations for women and the handicapped in their buses, paving way for the sufferings of this section of the society. The bus systems, which are designed to offer safe, accessible, and equitable transportation for all citizens, have failed to uphold basic principles of fairness and respect. While seat reservations for women and people with disabilities were introduced as a measure to provide security and dignity to vulnerable groups, the enforcement of these policies remains woefully inadequate, and the consequences are felt by the very individuals they are intended to protect. The reasons behind such violations are multifaceted. There is a general lack of awareness about the importance of these seats, compounded by an absence of proper enforcement. Bus conductors, who should be incharge of ensuring that these seats are reserved for the appropriate passengers, often fail to address violations, either due to negligence or because they lack the authority to take corrective action. Addressing these violations requires a multifaceted approach including the awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement measures and also the accessibility audits. It is crucial for the bus operators to cater to the needs of every passenger, therefore, it is imperative to ensure that the women and the disabled should feel safe and respected while travelling. It is high time for the authorities to take apt measures to ensure reserved seats for this particular section of the society and make local transportation a safer and more inclusive space for all.