Imran Naikoo
Baramulla 23 June (KNB): Struck hard by Covid-19 lockdown, several residents of Tehsil Narwav, Kandi, Rafiabad and Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, who are living from hand to mouth, have been in a state of distress as half of their daily wages get spent on public transport fare.
Paying higher fares than required, is not a new worry for the people; especially since the Covid-19 lockdown has been partially lifted in several districts of the valley. Despite promises of looking over this issue from the concerned officials, complaints from daily commuters are still pouring in.
“The distance from my village to Baramulla town is just 15 Kilometers and I have been paying 200 rupees every day to reach the town and back,” Labourer Farooq Ahmad, resident of Rafiabad, told Kashmir News Bureau.
He said, “One time, I raised my voice against the high fare and confronted the driver, who reacted rudely and have not tried to do the same since then.”
“It is understood that they have also suffered due to the Covid-19 Pandemic but we too. It is not only them but many people like me, who have to spend half of their daily earnings on traveling,” he said, further asking, “What shall we do?
As per the labourer from Rafiabad, none of the concerned officials, be it from the J&K Police or Traffic Police departments are present on the road to ensure adherence to public transport related SOPs and guidelines.
Bashir Ahmad from Narwav area of the district, who lives from hand to mouth told KNB, “For the journey of 16 Km, from Dangerpora to Baramulla, people have to pay 100 rupees. As per the guidelines, I do not think the fare should be that high.”
“It is the responsibility of the concerned authority to follow this issue up, ensure appropriate fare is being charged but unfortunately none is paying heed to the plight of the poor,” he said.
Apart from the fare issue, the people of Narwav are facing unavailability of seats in the passenger vehicles that pass by the Tehsil.
Ahmad said, “As only 50% passenger capacity is allowed in public transport, the vehicles coming from Larridora are most of the time already occupied. When these passenger vehicles reach our area (Narwav), the everyday commuters to Baramulla town are not able to board the vehicle.”
“Labourers cannot sustain the loss due to unavailability of seats in the public transport on everyday basis,” he said, adding that if these SOPs are not being followed in several other districts, then why here?
He further said that people want the concerned authority to either lift the 50% seating capacity rule or provide more passenger vehicles to commute on the road.
Another resident of Larridora reached out to KNB and said that lack of officers on Larridora to Baramulla road is allowing the public transport drivers to do as they wish.
He said, “Not all but there is an indigent population in surrounding areas who cannot afford to pay the high fare. If only J&K Police or Traffic officers were performing their duty here, we could at-least have an option to reach out and put forth our grievances to.”
Regarding the issue, KNB spoke to ARTO Baramulla, Mubashir Jan who said that a team of the department including himself has been checking the situation on the roads for the past several days.
ARTO Jan said, “I, along with my team, have been travelling on the roads falling under our jurisdiction, especially the rural areas, to look out for violations and accordingly take action as well.”
“I have suspended 21 licenses and 26 permits just yesterday. There is no room for violations within my jurisdiction,” he emphasized.
Regarding the issue of high fare demanded by the public transport drivers in the above-mentioned areas, Mubashir Jan said that he is going to issue an order.
“I know the current Covid times are difficult, especially for the indigent population. I want to assure them that an order will be issued tomorrow in this regard for the concerned transport stand so that authorised fare is charged from the passengers,” he said.
He further added that during his on ground survey, he has come to realise the difficulties people as well as the public transport face due to dilapidated and unsafe condition of roads.
Pertinent to mention that a week ago, Transport Commissioner J&K Pradeep Kumar told KNB that if drivers are not following SOPs and are overcrowding or charging more fares, the passengers can report the same thing to district SSPs or district police as it is given in the orders. (KNB)