Early Times Report
Rajouri, July 31: Overloading of passenger vehicles including buses, mini buses especially in rural and far off areas recently and in the past has lead to tragic accidents in which innocent commuters have lost their lives on Rajouri -Darhal, Rajouri-Kotranka-Budhal , Rajouri -Bihmber Gali and Rajouri-Jammu (via Nowshera and via Kalakot) routes.
All these roads pass through hilly terrains and having sharp curves and deep gorges and rivers on either side.
The main reason behind overloading of passenger vehicles is shortage of public transport on interior routes including Rajouri-Budhal, Rajouri-Darhal routes.
For the last few years Regional Transport Authority (RTO) has not issued route permits especially for Budhal and Darhal areas.
"The buses/ mini buses plying on these routes are years old and people take risks of their lives by travelling in these vehicles as they have no alternative to reach their destinations" said K Malik r/o Darhal.
He added more than 50 people have lost their lives in two major bus accidents on Darhal-Rajouri route in the past.
Recently District Administration and ARTO has decided to issue 31 route permits for more passenger vehicles including Omni buses, Mini buses.
The meeting was chaired by MA Asad, deputy Commissioner and was attended by Yougal Manhas, SSP and Neeraj Sharma, ARTO who informed about the problems being faced by the local people in remote areas like Mandirgala, Rehaan, Koteranka, Budhal, Panihad, Dalhori and other off routes located villages in the district.
He also informed about the available number of vehicles besides highlighting the additional requirement of vehicles for facilitating the locals.
Deputy Commissioner has directed that Mini buses/ Omni buses should ply on the approved route permits only and there should be no overloading, overcharging and irregular vehicular movement on the new road stretches. |
