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| Mini bus drivers keep thousands hostage by 'ordering' suspension of Tata Sumo service | | Traffic, Transport departments found wanting | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Feb 5: A huge population living in the outskirts of summer capital of the state have been kept hostage by the drivers and operators of mini-buses since they have stopped the Tata Sumo drivers to operate their services while alleging 'encroachment' on their business interests
The non-operation of Tata Sumos has pushed the common masses to the wall and people have been forced to travel by mini-buses only. The state government especially Traffic Police and Transport departments are acting as mute spectators to this disturbing development and no corrective measure has been taken so far.
A group of residents of Hazratbal and adjoining areas told Early Times that scores of Tata Sumos operating in these areas are being stopped by drivers of mini buses at Hazratbal and not allowed to operate on Hazratbal-Lal Chowk and other connecting routes. This has been going on for the last three days and the authorities are yet to come out with an alternative plan in this regard.
"In today's world a commuter wants to reach his/her office or home at the earliest. This is possible only when private transport like a Tata Sumo is utilized. A mini bus usually takes one hour to reach Hazratbal from Srinagar and vice-versa. Since employees and students are always in hurry they cannot reach their respective destinations on time if they board the mini buses," said the residents.
The residents said that it should be left to the wish of commuters whether to board the Tata Sumos or Mini Buses.
They said that mini bus drivers should not be allowed to monopolize the transport trade on Hazratbal and connecting routes. This they said would lead to healthy competition among the transporters with people being ultimate beneficiaries.
"Over the past three days drivers of mini buses have created panic in the area and they are abusing the drivers of Tata Sumos like anything.
Not only this; the commuters boarding the Tata Sumos are being harassed by the mini bus drivers.
All this goes on in presence of traffic police officials but none among them has the courage to set things right by asking the mini bus drivers to desist from harassment," said the residents.
It would be in place to mention here that Tata Sumo on Lal Chowk-Hazratbal and connecting routes has been going on for the past four years with great success. More and more people have been boarding the Tata Sumos and people have appreciated operation of such transport service. Some of the mini bus drivers have taken loans from banks and purchased Tata Sumos to operate on Lal Chowk-Hazratbal and connecting routes.
"Since important institutions of learning like University of Kashmir and National Institute of Technology are located in Hazratbal area the Tata Sumo service has proved out to be a great success. However, over the past few days the students appearing in the examination have suffered with some of them reaching the examination centres late," said the residents. |
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