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| 'JPBSA grouse genuine', luxury coaches run on political patronage | | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 31: Even as Jammu Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC), the government owned Public Transport system, could not perform to its optimum level and failed to cater to the needs of lakhs of commuters across the state, the private bus operators with their extraordinary operational skills managed to run a vast network of transportation there by rendering best possible service to the travellers.
Jammu-Poonch Bus Service Association (JPBSA), a pioneer in organised passenger service sector, is one such organization which came into being about fifty years back and since its inception it is running its services with commitment and dedication.
But, with the introduction of luxury coaches (2X2 seating arrangement video coach buses) and other light motor vehicles of different makes falling in the category of Contract Carriage, the mere survival of passenger transport (based on 2X3 seating arrangement) is in grave danger.
Technically classified as Stage Carriage, Jammu-Poonch Bus Service Association comprises around 537 passenger buses and supports the livelihood of more than 3500 families
Speaking to Early Times, JPBSA president Bharat Bhushan Gupta said," Our bus service originate from Jammu and caters to all main, arterial, internal and even small link roads across the length and breadth of the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch ferrying around 30,000 passengers daily between different points."
"Even we carried out our service in Mandi Loran area despite militancy at its peak. It was our Poonch staff which provided food and other facilities to the drivers, who used to and still transporting passengers there thus putting their lives to risk."
The grouse of the JPBSA, however, is that a 'nexus' of certain influential transporters and officials of the transport department has led to the 'illegal' grooming of luxury coaches as permits over the last few years have been issued indiscriminately keeping all rules and regulations at bay.
"Though we are carrying out our services with utmost dedication and sincerity, the recent years has seen an unusual upsurge in issuance of route permits to 2X2 coaches which is an attempt to finish off 2X3 buses….. Some very influential, rich and transporters with vested interests in connivance with the concerned authorities are hell bent upon marginalizing the traditional 2X3 buses." Gupta said
"I have information that some of the influential transporters operating 2X2 coaches were issued as many as 37 new route permits that too in late night hours a few days back despite repeated assurance by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Transport that fresh permits will not be issued…. In a meeting with the authorities on April 4 last it was decided that only single permit will be issued but recently 169 permits were issued and height of favoritism could be gauged from the fact that 5 to 6 members of a single family were awarded the permits. " Bharat Bhushan alleged
Bharat Bhushan even alleged that a senior National Conference leader using his influence got diverted the prescribed routes of the permits. The person having fleet of luxury buses managed to get Jammu-Poonch route permit which other wise was meant for Jammu-Kishtwar route keeping in view the shortage of public transport in the area.
The mushrooming of luxury coaches, Sumo Taxis and Tempos has not only hit the business of traditional buses to the hilt but it also created a complete 'lawlessness' on the roads.
"The drivers of the luxury coaches just park their vehicles anywhere on BC road near General Bus Stand to take passengers….. Their conductors are often seen snatching bags of the commuters in a bid to fill their buses." Bharat Bhushan alleged |
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