Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 15: Residents of south Kashmir, including Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and surrounding areas, have raised serious concerns over the recent curtailment of Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) bus services that previously offered direct connectivity to Lal Chowk, Srinagar.
Passengers expressed frustration over the rerouting of these buses to terminate at Pantha Chowk, approximately 10 kilometres short of Lal Chowk. They said this change has caused widespread inconvenience and demand restoration of the earlier direct service.
For many years, the direct SRTC bus route was a reliable and affordable mode of transport for students, employees, patients, and traders travelling daily between south Kashmir and Srinagar, the residents said.
They said the abrupt change has disrupted routines, increased travel expenses, and added physical and financial burdens on passengers.
“We have to switch vehicles at Pantha Chowk and wait for local transport in the scorching sun,” said Mehraj Ahmad, a university student from Anantnag. “Time and money matter to us. I end up spending extra every day and still reach late.”
Commuters said that since the rerouting, they are forced to rely on shared cabs and minibuses from Pantha Chowk to Lal Chowk, which are often overcrowded and operate irregularly. This has also raised safety concerns.
“My wife is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Srinagar. Earlier, we could drop her right at the doorstep. Now, with her condition, it’s very difficult to change vehicles midway,” lamented Ghulam Nabi Dar, a senior citizen from Bijbehara. “The authorities should understand the hardships faced by ordinary people.”
Women commuters also expressed frustration. “Travelling in shared cabs is uncomfortable and often unsafe, especially for women,” said Shaista Jan, a teacher from Pulwama. “The SRTC bus was a safer and more dignified way to travel.”
“We’re not asking for luxury,” said Bilal Ahmad, a daily commuter. “We only want the return of the basic service that served us for decades.”
Residents and passengers have urged the administration and JKSRTC to reconsider their decision and reinstate the direct bus service from south Kashmir towns to Lal Chowk. They believe restoring the route would alleviate daily hardships and reduce the burden on other modes of public transport.
They have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the transport minister to look into the matter.
