The Jammu and Kashmir private transport associations on Monday observed a shutdown in several parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, amid the government’s plans to expand smart city bus services to different districts. Routine life in Kashmir was thrown out of gear due to the strike, with common people facing difficulties in reaching their destinations.
Students, employees, business-owners, shopkeepers and labourers experienced hardships. Keeping in view the ongoing strike, the University of Kashmir had to postpone all scheduled exams as students could not reach the campus from different parts of the Valley.
The strike was observed by private transporters, including bus and shared cab operators, while peaceful sit-in protests were organised at different bus stations. The major concern stems from the government’s expansion of its ongoing smart e-bus services to different districts with full-scale operations.
Earlier, only a few buses used to ply on designated routes; however, the latest announcement has triggered panic among transporters, who fear that the expansion of e-bus services would impact their livelihoods.
Protesting operators said the expansion could render thousands of families without income, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. They said the majority of operators in Srinagar have loans on their heads, which they had taken against mortgages of immovable assets like land and other establishments.
While the situation in and around the city has remained largely peaceful, the disruptions in public transport are causing greater difficulties to common people.
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