Kargil travellers, transporters for abolishing one way traffic system

Representatives of tour, travellers and transporters at a press conference at Kargil on Saturday. - Excelsior /Basharat Ladakhi

Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, May 6: All Kargil Tour & Travellers Association (AKT&TA) & All Transport Association Kargil (ATAK) has demanded abolishment of one way traffic system on NH 1.
In Ladakh, the recent insolvency of the Go AIR Company, has badly affected the Industry of UT Ladakh that is Tourism and daily hotels are going vacant and the trade is affected badly.
This was stated by the president, All Kargil Tour and Travels Association, Mohammad Ali Rangyoul during a joint press conference with All Kargil Transport Association.
Mohammad Ali said that the trade is further affected by the one way traffic system on the Kargil Srinagar road and requested the LG Ladakh, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Ladakh, DC Kargil and Ganderbal for revoking the one way traffic system on the Kargil Srinagar Road.
He further requested to at least start two way traffic light vehicles for two hours in morning for traffic from Kargil and for two hours in evening for traffic from Srinagar so that the dying tourism sector and other business can be saved.
Ali Rangyoul said that they have requested to address the issue of traffic on priority basis but still no action was taken and they were forced to make this press conference.
Zaheer Ahmad Bagh, general secretary said that Tourism Sector is dealing a perishable business which if affected will ruin business.
He said the Tourism Sector the main industry of the Ladakh UT is at the helm of the traffic system and all the hotels and other business establishments were happy with the early opening of the Kargil Srinagar road but it has not resulted profitable as very alternate day the business is affected by the one way system.
He further said that although the business is for only six months still they are not getting any relief on payment of interest and other dues which is a sorry state.
Talking about the effect of the Go AIR Company on Ladakh business he said that daily 1500 passengers are affected which is directly affecting the business in Ladakh.
Mohd Ibrahim of All Kargil Transport Association requested the LG Ladakh and LG J&K to redress the issue of one way traffic as well as the authority approach of the Traffic Police stationed at Sonamarg, as alleged by him the traffic police at Sonamarg are unnecessarily harassing the taxis, passengers and tourist of Ladakh at Sonamarg.