Residents lament lack of public transport at dusk

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 19

Commuters in the city are complaining that the authorities have failed to ensure the presence of public transport in the evening hours.

The students, working class and businessmen complained that public transport, especially minibuses and cabs, disappear from roads after sunset, making them wait in the cold.

“There is no accountability. The drivers do whatever they like and do not follow any rule,” said a 20-year-old student Shaista Rafiq, who lives in Kanipora. “It becomes difficult to reach home on time in the absence of any transport,” Rafiq said.

The problem is mostly faced by the working class and students. They said auto owners charge exorbitant rates in the evening hours.

“No one is taking any action. It seems even the administration stops working in the evening,” said a resident from Rawalpora, Mujeeb Ahmed.

The residents of Kanipora, Kenhama, Nowgam, Natipora, Soura, Ellahi Bagh and many other areas complained about the same problem and appealed to the authorities to look into the issue.

“There is no Sumo service available from Soura, so we are largely dependent on buses which are not available in the evening. Taking an auto from Lal Chowk to Soura is not possible because it costs a lot,” said a college student.

The commuters said every day, they have to wait for more than 30 minutes for a bus or a Sumo.

A senior official from the regional transport office said they would ensure that public transport is available till 7 pm in winter. “We will ensure that people do not have to suffer,” he said.