Bizmen, transporters protest move to shift Batamaloo bus stand

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 7

Traders and transporters today staged a joint protest against the proposed shifting of the Batamaloo Bus Stand to Parimpora, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Carrying placards, members of the Kashmir Traders Federation (KTF) and Western Bus Stand Association (WBSA) gathered at the Press Enclave and raised slogans against the move to shift the bus stand.

“This is discrimination with the people and traders of Kashmir, particularly those of Srinagar city. People will suffer due to the proposed relocation of the bus stand as they will have to go to Parimpora first to board buses. Same is the problem for people coming from villages to hospitals or for business purposes,” said KTF chief spokesperson Aijaz Shahdhar.

He said traders in the vicinity of the Batamaloo Bus Stand had already suffered a lot financially during the September floods last year and the present move would accentuate their losses.

Later, the protesters tried to march towards city centre Lal Chowk. However, their bid was foiled after several protesters were taken into preventive custody.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, along with a team of officers, had recently visited Batamaloo Bus Stand and told the operators that the shifting of the bus stand would ease traffic in the area.

However, the traders and transporters have warned that they will intensify their stir in case the government went ahead with its plan.