Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Apr 4: Overloaded Tata Sumo buses, minibuses ferrying passengers and school-children, overloaded Tata Sumos and Mini-buses could be spotted effortlessly in and around Mendhar town.
The rash driving, overloading, non- seriousness and a casual approach towards the traffic norms are the reasons for accidents in the area. Almost daily, there is news of an accident in the papers about accidents and we just regret and feel bad for some time and then again resort to our routine activities.
One can find an overloaded Tata Sumo or Mini-bus at any route and no one is there to keep a check on this menace. It’s all due to ‘collection system’ that the men in blue turn a blind eye towards this unwanted activity. Overloaded Tata Sumos, Mini-buses with students hanging at the back and at the entrance of vehicles moves freely on Mendhar routes as no traffic cop dares to fine him. No one questions the drivers/ operators or even these stupid passengers who travel holding the back ladder of the Tata Sumos and Mini buses.
Lady passengers often complain about the atmosphere in the packed Tata Sumos, buses, where unscrupulous elements indulge in eve- teasing. Women have to face the problem because of over loading in these vehicles.
Sultana Kouser, a resident of Mendhar said, “It is really sad that the environment in the buses, Tata Sumos is unscrupulous and many a time cases of eve- teasing have been reported. Women passengers have to face the problem because of overloading in these vehicles. If questioned, they say there is no space what can we do?
The problem of overloading is severe on routes like Harni, Chhatral-Kalaban, Balakote, Mankote- Sagra-Balnoi, Salwah, Galuta, Pathanateer and Dharana. There is traffic naka at Mendhar and one can find men in blue gossiping and making ‘collection’ from operators as matter of right. It is due to the casual approach of these cops people have to suffer. The driver and conductor often say if Traffic Police has no objection why are you objecting, travel or leave. It is a serious matter and Administration should take appropriate measures to handle the situation.
WAhmed Zaddi , a student Govt I T I Mendhar said, there is traffic Naka at the Sangla Chowk from where these vehicles pass but still the cops do not show any interest to curb the menace. Shella khan, a college student shared, “It is very difficult to travel in an overloaded vehicle but we are left with no other option as all the Tata Sumos and buses are overloaded and drivers won’t move till their vehicles are overloaded. This overloading many a time results in fatal accidents,” Shella added.
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