Srinagar, Jan 11, KNT: A ban on Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) buses entering Srinagar since November last year has disrupted public transportation and caused significant financial strain on the corporation.
The daily losses, estimated at Rs 3 lakh, are compounded by the inconvenience faced by over 18,000 commuters relying on these buses across ten districts of the Valley.
The restriction was initially imposed to reduce congestion during the assembly session but remains in effect long after the session’s conclusion. JKRTC officials expressed frustration at the ban, highlighting the corporation’s dwindling daily revenue, which has dropped from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. “This was meant to be temporary, but it’s now hurting both commuters and our operations,” a senior JKRTC official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
A traffic police official, citing a High Court directive, defended the restrictions, explaining that the ban aligns with legal orders. However, public discontent continues to grow, with commuters questioning why private operators continue to operate freely within the city. [KNT]
