SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation’s (JKSRTC) Srinagar-Delhi bus service has remained suspended for more than a month, forcing passengers to rely on private transport operators charging significantly higher fares.
Passengers say that the corporation’s buses have not operated on the route since May 25, leaving regular commuters, including students, traders and patients, with little option but to travel in privately operated buses at substantially higher costs.
The prolonged suspension has sparked resentment among commuters, who questioned why a government-run public transport service had remained off the road while private operators were continuing to ply on the route without interruption. They alleged that instead of strengthening public transport, the suspension has effectively benefited private operators.
Sources in the corporation said the two buses that were operating on the Srinagar-Delhi route have been parked at the JKSRTC yard for over a month and are now likely to be deployed for the Amarnath Yatra.
The suspension has also affected employees, with sources claiming that several JKRTC drivers engaged on a consolidated basis have begun leaving the corporation after being offered better salaries by private transport companies.
Passengers urged the government to immediately restore the Srinagar-Delhi service, saying the route serves as an affordable and dependable travel option for hundreds of people every week.
Repeated attempts to obtain the official version from Transport Minister Satish Sharma, but he could not be reached for comment. [KNT]
