Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Nov 7: More than eight e-buses in Srinagar have been grounded due to lack of funds needed for repairs and purchase of spare parts.
The government has also not cleared the liabilities owed to the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) for providing free travel to women passengers.
Top officials in the transport department said that the corporation has written several times to the government seeking compensation for losses incurred after the administration directed SRTC not to charge women passengers. Officials said no payments have been released so far.
They added that the e-bus project will struggle to survive if adequate funding is not provided immediately.
“We have written to the government many times, and the process continues even today. We are seeking mitigation of losses incurred due to the directive of ferrying women passengers free of cost,” a senior official said.
He said earlier reports about e-buses losing lakhs of rupees every day reflected only part of the problem, and that the actual losses are even higher.
Due to insufficient funding, the corporation has been unable to carry out timely repairs. Several buses now have deflated tyres or remain grounded for want of spare parts.
“Out of 20 e-buses operating in Srinagar, more than eight have been grounded. The number may rise if the situation continues,” the official said.
The NC-led administration launched the Zero Ticket travel initiative on April 1 this year, allowing free travel for women in Smart City e-buses and JKSRTC buses across Jammu and Kashmir. The measure was projected as an important step for women’s safety.
However, concerns were raised at the time that women passengers constitute a significant share of the overall ridership, and the initiative could affect the revenue of private transporters who rely heavily on female passengers.
Officials had also warned that the decision could put additional strain on the already cash-starved state exchequer.
