Srinagar to Kaman Post bus service halted, passengers aghast

Uri, Aug 06: two days after Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir ordered the direct bus service from Srinagar to Kaman Post, the last military post on this side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the bus service has proved to be a non-starter.

According to reports, the bus which started its services from Monday is facing a hiccup.

“When bus reached Baramulla on Monday morning, it was stopped by the officials by Western Bus Stand Baramulla for no reason and later it was sent back to Srinagar,” a group of passengers told Greater Kashmir.

Ghulam Rasool, General Secretary, Western Bus Stand Srinagar acknowledged that the bus was returned from Baramulla. “We had started the bus service on the instructions of RTO Kashmir, but it was halted in Baramulla and returned for no reason. We are ready to run the service if they allow us to do so,” he said.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad, President, Western Bus Service Baramulla said that there was some issue over the timings of the bus. “We welcome this bus service. We are hopeful that the issue will be sorted out soon and bus service will ply normally within two or three days,” he said.

Greater Kashmir has learnt that RTO Kashmir who was on a visit to the border town Uri conducted a meeting on Tuesday with the President Western Bus Service Baramulla on the issue and others.

While speaking to Greater Kashmir, RTO Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari claimed that bus service was plying normally on the route. “They had some issues over timing which have been resolved now. I have been informed that the bus service ran normally today from Srinagar-Uri,” he said.

When asked if the bus service has not started for the second consecutive day also, RTO Kashmir said, “I will get it checked again.”

Locals of Uri had earlier expressed gratitude to the officials for addressing this demand.

“But it is unfortunate that the services are yet to begin. This could have provided much-needed relief to locals, especially patients or poor people who cannot afford the cab fare daily,” they said.

“Leave Kaman Post, we demand that services till Salamabad village only,” they said adding, “We appeal LG and Divisional Commissioner administration to look into the matter.”