Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 9: The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) today urged the government to implement High Court orders of constituting a committee for recommending enhancement of life span of commercial vehicles beyond 25 years and urged it to shift back the southern bus terminal to Batamaloo.
The KEA chairman Yasin Khan said in a statement that the government should refrain from issuing any order which is detrimental to the transport sector of the Valley. He said the Court directed government to relocate the Batamaloo and Jammu bus stands suitably and ensure de-congestion but these orders were never carried out in totality and only the KMDA, which operates services to south Kashmir, was removed and located at Pantha Chowk.
“This was a miserable relocation as the stand is lacking any passenger facility, comfort and parking bays. The Pantha Chowk is congested and causes traffic jams of immense nature. Jammu bus stand remains unmoved and Batmaloo bus stand is presently catering to north of the valley from the same location,” he said.
Khan said that the commuting to Pantha Chowk is both expensive and time consuming for south Kashmir commuters and they prefer commuting by Sumo vehicles. He said that the sumo vehicles are now plying from all parts of Srinagar city and it takes at least four to five Sumo vehicles to carry a bus load of passengers, thereby causing huge traffic congestion within the city.
“Sumo vehicles, contrary to the permissible norms, carry passengers on individual basis and random pick up and drop stoppages. It is reliably learnt by KEA that the State government is contemplating relocation of Batamaloo bus stand as well. This will cause more traffic congestion and chaos,” he said, adding that government should acquiresuitable and large piece of land conveniently located for daily commuters and set up a modern bus terminal with adequate parking bays.
Khan said: “KEA would be willing to assist the authorities to select the terminal location for the benefit of transporters, commuters and general public. Aim should be suitability of location, passenger convenience and resultant de congestion of city traffic.”
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