Waterlogging at Parimpora bus stand takes toll on transporters, passengers

Srinagar, Mar 7:  Persistent waterlogging at Parimpora bus stand on the city outskirts has been taking a toll on passengers and transporters.

A group of aggrieved passengers said continuous waterlogging at the bus stand has been making their routine travel inconvenient. The transporters also said that due to the issue, their operations have been affected.

Passengers said that they were unable to board vehicles due to waterlogging. “There is massive waterlogging at the bus stand. It is hard to navigate around and we require a different pair of long boots to wade through water and board buses. The elderly, children, and women are facing inconvenience. We appeal to the concerned authorities to address the issue so that we don’t suffer,” Suhail Ahmad, a passenger said.

The transporters said that dozens of buses and vehicles are parked at the bus stand amid waterlogging. The transporters were shifted to this bus stand from Batamaloo and promised better facilities but the basic drainage system is crippled.

Chairman of All Kashmir Transport Welfare Association, Shabir Ahmad said that they have been suffering owing to poor drainage system at the bus stand. He said that around 1000 cab and bus drivers are affected due to the issue.

“We make repairs to types and other parts of our vehicles. The next day these are again damaged due to waterlogging. Despite the government spending huge amounts of money on the bus stand, we don’t understand why waterlogging is not addressed. Passengers, as well as transporters, are facing problems daily. Following the incessant rains over the past few weeks, the poor drainage was completely exposed. The whole bus stand has turned into a cesspool and nobody is paying heed to it,” he said.