Baramulla, Sept 23: Commuters in various parts of Baramulla district are grappling with significant challenges during evening hours due to the scarcity of public transportation.
They express frustration with the limited availability of transport options, which leads to immense inconvenience in returning to their homes.
Residents in Baramulla and Sopore towns in north Kashmir find it increasingly difficult to commute as evening descends, with public transport largely vanishing from the roads.
According to locals, public transport services including buses and minibuses are conspicuously absent for commuters during late evening hours.
This predicament affects government employees, businesspersons, students, and other locals alike.
People in areas like Dangerpora, Duroo Hardushiva, Warpora, Watlab, Seer Jageer, Tarzoo, and Janwara villages of the Zaingair belt in Sopore face particularly severe challenges. They are often forced to hire sumos at exorbitant rates.
Similar difficulties are encountered in Rafiabad, Kandi, and Uri areas of Baramulla.
“With the onset of winter, the problem exacerbates every year. Darkness falls as early as 6:30 PM, and public transport becomes a rare sight in the area,” a local said.
The locals said that the administration has failed to ensure the availability of public transport during evening hours.
A significant portion of the population, especially those working in markets or offices, cannot afford personal vehicles and rely on public transport daily.
“Despite repeated pleas, authorities have seemingly ignored the matter, leaving commuters frustrated,” the residents said.
An official of Regional Transport Office Sopore offered assurances that measures will be taken to address the issue and ensure that commuters do not face inconveniences.
“We will investigate the issue and communicate with transporters to guarantee adequate transportation during evening hours,” he stated.
