KL Report
URI
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, known as ‘Carvan-e-Aman’ remained closed on its 9th anniversary due to continuous rains on Monday.
Official sources told Kashmir Life that the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was closed for traffic late last evening as the continuous rains damaged it on many places. “However, men and machinery are busy in making the road plyable for the traffic,” an official informed Kashmir Life adding “It will take us a few hours more to make the road functional.”
The cross LoC bus service was started as a big Confidence Building Major (CBM) after an agreement between India and Pakistan on April 7, 2005 by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi in the presence of then state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his coalition partner, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The cross LoC bus service was started for the convenience of Kashmiris residing on the either sides of the Line, however, the common Kashmiris find the process of seeking permission to travel very hectic. “To get the permission of travelling on the road is tougher than seeking a formal passport,” Ghulam Qadir, a resident of Baramulla told Kashmir Life adding “This CBM has practically been politicized from both the sides.”
Thousands of state subjects have crossed over using ‘Karwan-e-Aman’ and they have met their relatives after many years.
