Ban on rooftop luggage irks bus passengers

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 28

The decision of the Transport Department to ban luggage on the roofs of the buses has annoyed transporters and long-route passengers of the state.

The department recently banned the luggage loading on the roofs of the long- route buses in the state.

A 40-seater bus does not have sufficient space to accommodate the luggage of the passengers travelling on long routes of the state.

Ashwani Khajuria, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Jammu, said: “The department has issued a notice under which buses are not allowed to load luggage on roofs. We had warned drivers to carry less luggage but they did not comply. So, we were left with no option but to issue a formal order.”

“The passenger buses are not supposed to carry commercial items. We have seized five buses which were carrying luggage on rooftops,” the RTO added.

Buses are the only mode of transport for most of the people of the state as all districts are not connected by trains.

“We have to carry household items with us while travelling to Jammu. Whenever we go back to our village, we carry gifts and household items for our family. It is not possible for us to hire a load carrier every time,” said Shabbir Ahmed, a labourer from Doda who works in Jammu.

“It seems that the department has some nexus with the load carrier union to give them the benefit of this order,” Shabbir alleged.

Showing resentment against the order issued by the Transport Department, All J&K Transport Union Association has appealed to the department to withdraw the order and continue the earlier order in which 8 quintals of luggage was allowed in the bus. “It has become difficult for us to ply our vehicles on long routes as most of the people travel with heavy luggage. It is not possible for the people to hire load carriers for their luggage,” said Vijay Sharma, general secretary, All J&K Transport Union Association.

“If the department does not withdraw the order and starts seizing our vehicles, we will call a meeting of the union and start an agitation against the government,” Sharma added.