Srinagar, Feb 13: The residents of Srinagar say they are grappling with transportation challenges, particularly in the evening.
The local administration had initially announced the procurement of 200 e-buses, with a distribution of 100 each for the cities of Srinagar and Jammu. However, the implementation has fallen short, as only 75 e-buses have been introduced so far under the guidance of Smart City Limited. Despite these efforts, the people of Kashmir continue to face significant issues with evening transport.
Daily travellers said they often experience prolonged waits for buses, and the buses fail to reach their designated spots on time.
“This mismatch between the intended improvements and the persistent challenges on the ground underscores the need for effective measures to address the transportation issues faced by the people of Kashmir, especially during the evening hours,” Yasmin Rahim Ali, a resident of Nowhatta, said.
While the implementation of e-auto and e-bus services has brought relief to many areas, there remains an evident gap in public transport facilities in specific sections of the city, notably in areas such as Pantha Chowk, Maharajbazar, Fateh Kadal, and Naidyaar. These areas continue to experience a lack of accessible transportation options.
Yasmin said she encountered significant challenges the day before yesterday. After leaving SMHS hospital around 6:30, she faced a prolonged wait for a bus, which did not arrive. This lack of available transportation poses significant challenges, especially during emergencies, she said.
Ibrahim Hamza, a resident of Maharaja Bazar, said she encountered numerous challenges in reaching home in the evening due to the unavailability of buses. “The authorities must ensure the provision of bus services, particularly in the evening, as most of the people of Kashmir rely on local transportation,” he said, adding, “Addressing this issue would greatly benefit residents in need of evening transport services.”
Within the framework of the Srinagar Smart City Limited Project, the specific routes for e-buses have not yet been fully unveiled, leaving residents in a state of hopeful anticipation. These residents expressed hope that their localities will be taken into consideration for the integration of the bus service, which would resolve their daily travel challenges.
Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari told Rising Kashmir that the mentioned areas will be carefully examined. The buses on main routes run until 10 pm, he said while emphasising the significance of maintaining transportation accessibility around hospitals.
The officer assured of redressing the issues faced by the public.
