Kupwara, Feb 2: The residents of Village Guddaji in Panchayat Halqa Nunwani of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district staged a strong yet peaceful protest today against the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Kupwara, demanding immediate action to resolve their transport woes.
The protesters highlighted the exorbitant fares being charged by local drivers, pointing out the stark disparity in rates. While the 19-km journey from Kupwara to Sircoli costs just ₹45, commuters are being forced to pay an exorbitant ₹400 for a mere 3-km stretch from Sircoli Market to Guddaji. Despite the road being macadamized under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), drivers continue to overcharge passengers, causing immense hardships, especially for school-going children and daily commuters.
The protesters also expressed frustration over the alleged inaccessibility of the ARTO Kupwara, claiming that he does not respond to any call regarding public grievances. They accused him of neglecting his duties and ignoring urgent concerns of the public.
However, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kupwara, Rouf Rahman, when contacted, promptly responded and assured the protesters that their genuine demand would be addressed within two days. He urged the locals to submit a written complaint at his office on Monday, assuring them of a personal intervention to resolve the issue.
The residents have now pinned their hopes on the district administration for swift action to end the exploitation by local transporters and ensure fair fares for all commuters.
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