EYTA, KSS seek 2-month relief for outside J&K taxis, warn of transport disruption

Srinagar, Dec 31: The Entrepreneur Youth Traders Association (EYTA), along with KSS, has appealed to the Traffic Police Jammu and Kashmir and the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to grant a two-month grace period to taxi owners operating vehicles registered outside the Union Territory to complete the transfer of mandatory documents.

EYTA Vice President and KSS chief Firdous Baba said hundreds of taxi operators are facing genuine procedural, technical and administrative hurdles, making it difficult to meet the existing deadline.

He cautioned that strict enforcement without adequate relief could force many drivers to suspend operations or park vehicles in protest, leading to serious inconvenience for commuters and disruption of essential transport services.

Baba urged the authorities to adopt a balanced and humanitarian approach, noting that taxis are the sole source of livelihood for many families across the Valley. He said abrupt enforcement, particularly during the harsh winter months, could push drivers into financial distress and create avoidable traffic chaos.

“The situation demands sensitivity and an understanding of the ground realities. A reasonable transition period will help ensure smooth compliance while safeguarding livelihoods and preventing inconvenience to the public,” he said.

He added that a temporary relaxation would not dilute regulatory objectives but would instead strengthen compliance by giving operators sufficient time to complete formalities in an orderly manner. Such a move, he said, would also assist the administration in maintaining traffic discipline and public order.