Pulwama, Mar 9: Residents of Pulwama have expressed strong resentment over the exclusion of their district from the recently launched Smart City bus service, calling it an act of discrimination. They urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure that Pulwama is not left behind in infrastructural development.
Locals questioned why Pulwama, despite being a major district in South Kashmir, was overlooked while other districts were included in the public transport upgrade. “Why this injustice with Pulwama? Don’t we deserve modern transport facilities like other districts?” asked Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident.
Many residents highlighted the daily struggles faced by commuters due to inadequate public transport. “People, including students and office-goers, suffer due to poor transport connectivity. The introduction of Smart City buses would have made our lives easier, but the government chose to ignore us,” said Shaista Jan, a college student.
Social activists and traders also voiced their disappointment, urging authorities to reconsider the decision. “Pulwama contributes significantly to the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. We demand equal treatment and appeal to the Chief Minister to extend the Smart City bus service to our district,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local businessman.
The residents have called for immediate redressal of their grievances, warning that continued neglect could lead to public protests. [KNT]
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