Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 15: Locals protested against alleged overcharging of fare by some minibuses plying on different routes in Udhampur district even as fare chart has been issued to them by the Transport Department.
The protesting people raised slogans against the District administration Udhampur and ARTO Udhampur. They alleged the minibuses and auto rickshaw plying on different routes in Udhampur were brazenly ignoring the fare chart issued to them by the Transport Department.
While elaborating, they said that as per the passenger fare list-of the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO), minibuses or their equivalent vehicles are authorized to charge Rs 7 per passenger for the distance up to 3 kms, Rs 10 for up to 5 km and Rs 12 for above 5 kms. However, they alleged, the minibuses were charging Rs 15 and also not giving 50 percent concession to students.
Passengers travelling on routes like Salian Talab to Ghari Rehambal, Mini Bus Stand to Domail, DC Office to Vinas Chock, Salian Talab to Battal Balian, Mini Bus Stand to KV School and Dhar Road etc have complained of excessive fare being charged by a majority of the mini-buses.
The protesting people appealed to the Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha to issue necessary instructions to concerned authorities for adherence to the official fare list so that people may not suffer.
Ramesh Samotra, ARTO Udhampur said that he would take action against the erring minibus operators and auto rickshaw besides ensuring that the rate list is displayed by auto rickshaw and minibus.