Unprofessional operation of municipal check posts causing inconvenience to commuters

Baramulla, Jan 14: Commuters across north Kashmir have expressed concerns over the unprofessional manner in which check posts are operated across north Kashmir.

In north Kashmir's three districts, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, there are scores of check posts setup by the municipal councils and committees.

These check posts which are outsourced by the respective municipal councils, committees, charge entry fee from the passenger vehicles besides lorries and other vehicles within their municipal limits.

However, commuters had often raised concern over the action of check post operators who stop vehicles in the middle of the road to collect entry fee, causing inconvenience to road users and those travelling behind.

According to regular traveler's on highways, this practice not only disrupts traffic flow but also increases the risk of accidents, especially during morning and evening hours when visibility remains low.

Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident while highlighting the issue said, "While driving from Sopore to Baramulla, a few days back, the persons deployed at the Khawjabagh Baramulla check-post suddenly stopped a vehicle right in the middle of the road during evening hours. I had to apply brakes abruptly to avoid a collision."

He said, "This kind of carelessness can cause serious accidents, especially during peak hours and when the roads are already congested."

Another commuter, a government employee who travels daily from Baramulla to Kupwara,on daily basis expressed frustration over the lack of professionalism at these check posts.

"Stopping vehicles in the middle of the road shows how poorly these check posts are being managed. They should ensure proper safety for everyone, not create unnecessary risks," he said.

Scores of other drivers operating vehicles on different highways said that poor management at these check posts which had been most of the time outsourced by the respective municipal councils or committees don't follow proper procedure which needs to be fixed by the municipal authorities at the time of allotting these check posts to the contractor.

“It is responsibility of the municipal councils to educate the contractors about how to operate check posts. So that commuters don't face inconvenience," said a local resident.

The locals have appealed to the authorities to address the issue urgently. "The check post operators should be directed to ensure that these check posts operate professionally, otherwise their contract should be immediately ended," said Mehraj-Ud Din, a daily traveller on Baramulla-Srinagar highway.