Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Nov 28 : The private transporters in Srinagar staged a protest on Thursday against the operation of RTC and Smart buses within the City routes, accusing the authorities of ‘unfair practices’.
The All Jammu and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, as per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the private buses are being restricted under the pretext of reducing traffic, while RTC and Smart buses are being allowed to operate freely.
“This is injustice. If RTC buses can enter the City, why are private buses being stopped? We are losing our livelihood,” a protester told KNO.
Another protester said, “This policy is destroying our livelihoods. We are not against RTC buses, but we demand fair treatment. Either allow all buses to operate in the City or stop discriminating against private transporters.”
Similarly, the protesters also demanded that RTC buses stop operating beyond Parimpora and Pantha Chowk, as these routes are vital for private operators.
In the meanwhile, several protesters were detained by the police, while authorities have not yet responded to their demands.
As already reported by KNO, amid ongoing restrictions on JKRTC buses in Srinagar city, the corporation has warned that this suspension of services has led to a 50 percent drop in its daily revenue, threatening its financial stability—(KNO)
