Srinagar, Nov 30: Expressing serious concern over the barring of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses from entering Srinagar city limits, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Saturday said restrictions have caused hardships to seamless passenger movement, disproportionately affecting thousands of daily commuters who depend on affordable and accessible transport.
“RTC bus service is now a crucial backbone of public transport and has become a lifeline for the common people. Reportedly these restrictions, in effect since November 4 when the Assembly session commenced, are causing a daily revenue loss of Rs 4 lakh to the state exchequer,” Tarigami, the MLA from Kulgam, said in a statement issued here.
The CPI(M) leader said that buses from north Kashmir districts are stopped at Bemina Bypass, while those from south Kashmir are halted at Pantha Chowk. “The common people are facing immense hardships. The initiative had boosted transport connectivity but also marked the beginning of a financial turnover for the debt-laden corporation,” he said.
He urged the administration to lift restrictions on these RTC buses from entering Srinagar city forthwith keeping in view the persistent public demand.
