‘Chakka Jam’ Against E-Bus Expansion Disrupts Normal Life In Valley

Umer Raina
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21 Apr 2026

Passengers stranded across districts; commuters urge govt, transporters to resolve issue

Srinagar, April 20: Normal life across Kashmir was disrupted on Monday as transporters observed a region-wide “chakka jam” against the government’s move to expand Smart City electric bus services beyond Srinagar and Jammu to other districts.

The strike, called by the J&K Transporters Welfare Association, brought public transport to a halt in several areas, leaving commuters stranded and forcing many to seek alternative arrangements.

The protest saw participation from transport operators across districts, including Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Handwara, where minibuses and public transport remained off the roads. In Baramulla, transporters staged a complete shutdown opposing the extension of e-bus services to rural and tehsil routes, while in Ganderbal, drivers and operators joined the strike, citing serious concerns over their livelihoods.

Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Mahmood Yusuf, General Secretary of the J&K Transporters Welfare Association, said the protest was aimed at resisting what he termed as an “unfair expansion” of Smart City buses.

“Today’s chakka jam call was against the Smart City buses and their expansion to other districts, along with the free services being provided. This directly impacts our earnings and survival,” he said.

Yusuf urged the government to immediately convene a high-level meeting to address the concerns of transporters.

Echoing similar sentiments, the association’s chairman said the strike had received overwhelming support across Kashmir. “From autos to minibuses and larger public transport vehicles, the response has been massive. We had already informed the government about this protest through the media two days ago. Today’s shutdown is just a signal our future course of action will be announced soon,” he said.

Commuters across Srinagar and other districts bore the brunt of the strike, with many reporting difficulty in reaching workplaces, schools, and hospitals.

Major roads wore a deserted look, and private vehicles and limited services struggled to meet the demand. Several passengers expressed frustration over the inconvenience, urging both the government and transporters to resolve the issue at the earliest.

Transport unions argue that the introduction and expansion of Smart City buses, particularly with subsidised or free services, poses a direct threat to their already fragile income. “We are not against development, but policies should not come at the cost of thousands of families dependent on this sector,” a local driver in Ganderbal said.

The government had earlier procured around 100 electric buses each for Srinagar and Jammu under the Smart City initiative, with free rides announced for women to promote public transport usage and sustainability. However, the proposed expansion into smaller towns and districts has triggered widespread concern among traditional transport operators.