ANKIT KESSAR
Early Times Report
RAJOURI, Mar 15: The private vehicles have been allegedly plying illegally on Thanamandi to Shahadra Sharief route in Rajouri district and their drivers are fleecing passengers by charging exorbitant fare but concerned administration has turned blind eye towards this grave issue due to which the general public has been suffering a lot.
Sources told Early Times that these private vehicles, which are mostly ECO and Van of Maruti company are being used as commercial vehicles only but here on Thanamandi to Shahadra Sharief route, there are plenty of such vehicles, which are plying illegally.
"It is quite dangerous to ply these private vehicles by indulging in overloading in such hilly areas, which have numerous sharp turns. 10 to 12 passengers are taken by these vehicles having capacity of seven. They have arbitrarily fixed fare of one stoppage point to the tune of Rs 20 and there is no relaxation for the passengers even if they get down within one kilometre of distance," they said.
They further said that the drivers of these vehicles indulge in fights with passengers and misbehave with them. Even students are not spared from the fare charges, which is 50% less but they are forced to pay the full fare, they added.
The local police on this route know everything about it but no action is taken by them against the unruly drivers and their illegal practice of plying private vehicles. Pertinently, there is no route permit issued for the last five years and in such circumstances the plying of private vehicles is totally illegal.
When Early Times contacted the SDPO Sajad Khan, he said that he had talked to the concerned SDM and ARTO Rajouri regarding this issue and expressed hope that soon the issue will be resolved.
Meanwhile, ARTO Rajouri Shammi Sharma said that he had received a call from SDPO and these issues will be discussed. |
