Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 12: Scores of taxi drivers today protested and demanded that the ban on the entry of taxis in the city be lifted immediately.
Cab drivers gathered outside the BJP’s district headquarters here, raising slogans in favour of their demands.
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They said that despite having clearance to move throughout Kashmir, their cabs were denied permission to move.
“We want the Government to explain why our cabs have been denied entry into the city despite having been granted a route permit to travel throughout Kashmir. Our families are suffering,” one of the protestors said.
Meanwhile, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, Superintendent of Police Traffic, Srinagar told Excelsior that the registered unions in the various districts where Maxi cabs operate towards the city are not among the protestors and the department was only adhering to the High Court orders.
“We will have to figure out who the protesting cab owners are. When the Batamallo bus station was moved to Parimpora, High Court ordered that service providers from various districts must either stop at Pathchwok or Parmipora and then minibuses and SRTC buses will transport people across the city”, he said.
He said that the step was important to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in Srinagar since illegal stands had been set up throughout the city, blocking the passage of traffic.
He said if the main stakeholders, who operate from districts, are pleased with the change, what is upsetting these cab drivers.
“The registered unions have also urged that we restrict unlawful operations in the city, notably in Lal Chowk and Jahangir Chowk because they disrupt legitimate operations,” he said.
According to a 2017 judgment by the High Court, Traffic Police authorities have been directed not to allow Tata Sumos and Taxis moving from South and North Kashmir through the Pantha Chowk and Parimpora bus stations.
On the other hand, the protestors threatened to take to the road with their families if their demands are not met. “We will be left with no other alternative but to take to the road with our families, and the government will be held responsible,” the protestors said.
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