Absence of Public Transport during the Evening Hours

Like the other parts of the country, Jammu and Kashmir have also witnessed substantial growth in private transport. A good number of people are now using their private vehicles to cover distances as per their need and convenience. However, there is a large section of people who are directly dependent on public transport services. When we define the importance of this sector in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, this service has more relevance because of its unique topographical and seasonal condition. Though the prime focus of this public transport is to provide comfortable and hassle-free transport service to general masses but its operation on the ground is quite opposite to it. The arbitrary behavior of drivers associated with this sector made this profession infamous. There are various transport companies operating bus or Sumo services from Srinagar for different areas but unfortunately, they don’t follow traffic rules and regulations as expected from them. They forget that they are members of the same society. During winters when days are short and people have already been burdened with different hardships like biting cold, power shortage, roadblock, abrupt price rice of essential commodities, the non-availability of public transport during evening hours of the winter season is compounding the winter woes. There are some selfish drivers who are overcharging the fare; leaving the stations/ stands before the scheduled time; shortened the route as per their wish, overloading, people hanging from the back of the vehicles have become the common sight during the evening hours. These routine irregularities are creating a lot of inconvenience to the general public mostly to patients, female folk, students, and office goers.
There are complaints that a few selfish auto-drivers take undue advantage of such a situation and charge exuberant fares, looting people by both hands. This situation is prevailing almost everywhere. Now the question is how far the public will bear such a situation? Who will be held responsible for this problem? Who will bridle this unbridled horse (public transport)? Undoubtedly, it is the responsibility of the Government and the concerned executive bodies- Traffic Police, District, and Municipal authorities to make these transporters accountable as it is their collective responsibility to provide transport service to the general public. In this age of technology, it is very easy to monitor the functioning of public transport. The officers on duty can seek advance information from these companies about the numbers of vehicles plying on the route on any particular day. Their names and numbers should be available on the E-portal. This sort of information and constant vigil can ensure smooth operations of the public transport service on all routes. If the officer on duty witnesses the people facing difficulties in availing the transport facility at any particular bus stop or route during evening hours, he/she should have reserved a quota of vehicles that can be utilized at the peak hours. For this matter, SRTC E-Bus servicescan be the best option. Help-line toll-free numbers must be displayed on the important locations so that people can access concerned officials at any time. Also, the concerned district administration can launch special evening bus services to facilitate the people to reach their respective destinations. Any public grievance can be resolved promptly if taken seriously.
(The author is a teacher by profession. Views are his own)
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