Rehan Qayoom Mir
Pulwama, Feb 27: Residents of Pulwama and Shopian districts are elated as the cab service from Pulwama to Lal Chowk in Srinagar has been restored after nearly three years.
Passengers said that the cabs, which used to operate from the Residency Road Sumo Stand near Biscoe School, abruptly suspended operations between 2022 and 2024, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
They said that during the suspension, there was no pick-up or drop-off point in the city center for Pulwama residents, forcing passengers to travel to Pantha Chowk or the new bypass at Nowgam to avail cab services. Even patients from Pulwama were dropped at Pantha Chowk, where they had to rely on other transport options.
With the service restored this week, daily commuters expressed their joy and thanked the government, particularly MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para, for his intervention in resolving the issue.
Meanwhile, residents of Pulwama and Shopian districts have demanded the introduction of e-bus services in their areas. They pointed out that while e-bus services have been launched in various parts of Kashmir, Pulwama and Shopian have been overlooked.
Residents of Pulwama town and its adjacent areas said that e-bus services have been extended to almost every corner of Kashmir, including Khrew and Pampore in the district, but the main town has been neglected.
Residents of Shopian echoed similar concerns, calling for e-bus services in their district. Ab Hamid, a resident of Shopian, said that the lack of proper public transport facilities in many areas has created difficulties for the poor. “Sumo services are available in most places, but many people cannot afford the fare. E-bus services would be a more affordable option,” he said.
Zakir Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama, highlighted that a large number of people, including employees and students, travel to Srinagar for work or education. However, the absence of affordable transport options has made commuting challenging. “Patients and elderly people are also suffering due to the lack of proper transport services,” he added.
Residents said they have raised the issue with concerned authorities, who assured them that e-bus services would be introduced soon. However, no action has been taken so far. They have urged the concerned MLAs, along with the Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Shopian, to address the matter and ensure better transport facilities for the twin districts.
