Public transport woes plague Old Town B’la residents

Baramulla, May 29: Residents of Old Town Baramulla in the Baramulla district are grappling with the absence of a public transport service, leading to significant difficulties in meeting their daily needs and accessing basic services.
The lack of affordable and accessible transportation options has particularly impacted the elderly, students, and individuals with limited mobility, leaving them stranded and reliant on expensive private transportation or enduring long walks under unfavorable weather conditions.
The affected areas, including Bagh-i-Islam, Chesti Colony, Qadeem Edigah, and Suhail Colony, Qazi Hamam have borne the brunt of this transportation crisis.
Local residents have voiced their frustrations, highlighting the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Shabnam Bano, an employee from Qazi Hamam expressed her struggle to reach her school on time, often having to walk over two kilometers to catch a bus from a neighboring area, resulting in disruptions to her daily routine.
The absence of public transport has not only impacted individuals but also local businesses.
Sakib Nanda, a shopkeeper in Almustafa Colony, lamented the situation, stating that without regular transport facilities, they are forced to rely on three-wheelers, which charge exorbitant rates for transporting goods.
Even routine tasks such as buying vegetables and groceries become a challenge as residents have to walk more than a kilometer to reach the market.
Adding to the complexity of the issue is the recent establishment of the Urban Primary Health Centre in the area.
While the availability of expert doctors and quality healthcare services has attracted patients from surrounding areas, the lack of public transportation has made it increasingly burdensome for patients, particularly those with medical emergencies or limited means, to access the facility.
Muhammad Aslam, a concerned resident of Old Town, highlighted the imbalance in transportation services within the town, pointing out the existing transport service from Kanli Bagh to Sangri Colony, which covers nearly half the distance compared to the affected areas in Old Town.
Aslam’s concerns underscore the urgent need for the authorities to address the transportation disparity and provide prompt solutions.
Local mohalla heads and activists have raised their voices, urging the authorities to take immediate action.
They emphasized the importance of establishing a reliable and affordable public transport system to alleviate the hardships faced by the residents of Old Town Baramulla.
In response to the mounting concerns, the Baramulla Municipal Council has assured the public that they are actively working towards resolving the transportation problem.
Touseef Raina, the President of the Municipal Council Baramulla, stated that they will engage transportation authorities to explore the feasibility of introducing a dedicated light vehicle passenger service to cater to the affected areas.