Overloading in passenger vehicles persists in rural Kashmir parts

Srinagar, Dec 10: The overloading in passenger vehicles has become an alarming issue particularly in rural areas of Kashmir despite the "intensified" efforts by the traffic police to curb violations across the Valley.

Over the last few weeks, the whole focus has been shifted to traffic safety rules after the two youth died in a tragic accident near Tengpora bypass in Srinagar.

The traffic police in Srinagar city and rural Kashmir has activated its whole human resource to curb the violations by the drivers and the vehicle owners.

However, despite the stringent efforts to curb the road rage and strict action initiated against the drivers, the overloading in passenger buses has gone unnoticed which does not only disregards traffic safety norms but also endangers the lives of passengers, including students.

In many areas, overcrowded mini-buses ply the roads with passengers dangerously on the edge on the backside of vehicles. The interiors of these vehicles, already packed beyond capacity, leave no room for additional passengers due to which these passengers risk their lives by hanging onto the rear of the buses.

This disturbing trend is most visible during school hours, as students are often seen traveling in such precarious conditions in rural parts of Kashmir.

"Despite regulations prohibiting overloading, the lax implementation of these rules has led to a growing disregard for passenger safety. It is a routine sight in our area. The mini-buses are overloaded with passengers both inside and outside," said Umar Mehraj a resident of Baramulla.

The citizen say that the drivers seem indifferent and the traffic authorities do not appear to monitor rural areas effectively.

The persistence of overloading has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the traffic police’s measures and the accountability of vehicle operators.

"While sporadic crackdowns on violators are reported in urban centers, the issue continues unabated in rural areas where enforcement remains almost weak because there is no check on overloading in vehicles," said Firdous Ahmad Shiekh from Rafiabad Baramulla.

While the issue of overloading persists in passenger buses, the citizens also question the behavior of passengers who indulge in practices which puts their life in danger.

“Even if there are no traffic cops and driver behaves indifferent, the passengers should refuse to travel in overloaded vehicles. Their awareness and refusal to board such buses can push drivers to comply with safety norms,” said a passenger who was travelling from Baramulla to Rafiabad.

This correspondent followed several passenger buses from Baramulla to Rafiabad area and from Baramulla to Boniyar area where passenger vehicles particularly mini buses were seen overloaded.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Paul Singh said the traffic police in rural areas was always active in all areas to curb the traffic violations.

"Whatsapp me the name of these areas where vehicles are overloaded. I will look into it," the SSP traffic rural Kashmir told Greater Kashmir.