BJP slams NC government over 18% transport fare hike

Srinagar, Mar 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday criticised the government led by CM Omar Abdullah over the recent 18 per cent increase in transport fares, alleging that the move would impose an additional financial burden on poor and middle-class commuters.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP spokesperson Manzoor Bhat said the fare hike would directly affect common people who depend on public transport for their daily travel. “Mostly poor and middle-class people use buses and other public transport services. Increasing fares by 18 per cent will create serious difficulties for them,” Bhat said.

He also criticised the condition of the Parimpora bus terminal, claiming that the facility remains in a deteriorating state despite being shifted from the Batamaloo bus stand several years ago. According to Bhat, the relocation took place after a proposal during the People’s Democratic Party government to convert the Batamaloo area into a mini-secretariat.

“Today the Parimpora bus terminal is in poor condition, while the land at Batamaloo that was proposed for the mini-secretariat remains largely unused,” he alleged.

Bhat further claimed that shifting the bus stand had adversely affected the livelihoods of several small traders, street vendors and transport-related workers who earlier operated around the Batamaloo bus terminal. Highlighting the region’s tourism importance, he said Kashmir is an internationally known tourist destination and the poor condition of key transport facilities sends a negative message to visitors. Referring to the government’s policy of free bus travel for women, Bhat said that while the initiative appears beneficial, the financial burden is indirectly being shifted to other passengers. “In many cases, male passengers and family members are forced to pay higher fares. What kind of policy is this where the government claims to provide free services on one side and recovers the cost by charging others more?” he asked. The BJP leader accused the CM Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to formulate an effective transport policy and alleged that while the administration has increased fares for the public, it has simultaneously enhanced salaries and benefits for ministers and MLAs. He said such decisions add pressure on ordinary citizens who are already facing economic challenges. Bhat also alleged that the current government has failed to deliver on several fronts during its tenure so far.

At the same time, he praised the central government led by PM Narendra Modi for what he described as sustained efforts towards the development of Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade. He also appreciated Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for the completion of a Rs 171-crore project aimed at repairing road accident black spots in the region, thanking him on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.