Srinagar, June 25: The people of Handwara town in north Kashmir say they are facing several problems due to the deteriorating condition of the bus stand.
“Every day, people travel to various districts of the valley. However, the presence of potholes, the lack of washrooms and the unavailability of drinking water facilities at the bus stand are giving us a tough time,” the locals as well as passengers of the town told Rising Kashmir.
Several passengers expressed their dissatisfaction, saying the current state of the bus stand is embarrassing. Altaf Ahmad, a resident of Handwara, said the authorities have neglected the bus stand for years. He pointed out that both the entry and exit points, as well as the entire bus stand, are in a dilapidated state.
The drivers who operate from this bus stand said they have repeatedly appealed to the concerned officials but to no avail. They said the large potholes at the bus stand are causing damage to their vehicles.
In addition to the poor infrastructure, the people have complained about the bus stand getting flooded during the rainy season. This further exacerbates the problems faced by the general public.
“The dire condition of the bus stand in Handwara is causing inconvenience and distress to passengers and drivers alike. It is vital for the concerned authorities to take immediate action to address these issues. Repairing the potholes, providing clean washrooms, and ensuring the availability of drinking water facilities should be prioritized,” said Aadil Bashir, a college student.
He said, “The bus stand serves as an important transportation hub for the region, and its improvement would greatly benefit the local community. It is important for the authorities to allocate resources and carry out necessary repairs to create a safe and comfortable environment for the passengers and drivers who rely on the Handwara bus stand.”
An official from the R&B division in Handwara told Rising Kashmir that they submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) a year ago. He said the Municipal Committee of Handwara was supposed to carry out the work related to this bus turmoil.
