Srinagar, Apr 3: After completing the route integration plan, the traffic authorities in Kashmir are set to start the bus service on 11 routes in Srinagar, officials said on Monday.
Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) for Kashmir, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that with a fleet of around 185 minibuses, they are all set to start the bus service on eleven (11) routes and that the officials from their department and representatives of transport associations will be available at every station.
“We have completed the route integration process and from tomorrow we are going to start a full-scale bus service on 11 routes,” he said.
In a letter to all Mini-Bus Transport Unions/ Associations, the RTO Kashmir has directed them to ply the Mini/Medium-Buses on the routes, from 04-04-2023 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and that they should conspicuously exhibit at least 1feet x 9 inch Route Plate on the vehicle indicating the route number.
“As far as your internal arrangements are concerned, you may pool in your vehicles onto these routes in the proportion of your existing vehicle fleets affiliated with respective unions/ associations. It may also be noted that this route arrangement is also subject to change, on working efficiency, on public review and feedback,” the letter mentions.
RTO Kashmir said that besides the privately owned minibus fleet, they have also added the services of 10 JKRTC buses on some routes. “The service will ply at a time interval of every 15-20 minutes on all routes,” he said, adding that the process has been done to comfort the commuters. I want people to come and avail of the services.”
According to the newly framed integrated route plan, the RTO authorities in Kashmir have placed 45 minibuses for its circular route no seven (07) from Qamarwari to the cement bridge, Noorbagh, Sekidafar, NawaKadal, Rajouri Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Khanyar, Dalgate, Residency road, Lal Chowk, H.S.H.S, Jahangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina crossing and finally back to origin-destination Qamarwari.
As per the route plan shared by the RTO authorities, for route number three (03) from Pantha Chowk to Soura they have placed 10 minibuses, and for route four (04) from Chadoora to Soura 20 buses, minibuses have been allocated.
Similarly, for route number one (01) from Budgam bus stand to Hazratbal they have placed 15 minibuses, for route ten (10) from Panthachowk bypass to Narbal passing through bypass road connecting JVC and children hospital, 10 minibuses have been allocated for the route and that from Parimpora to Hazratbal 20 minibuses.
The RTO Kashmir authorities last month said that they carried out the route integration exercise to streamline the public transport service coming to Srinagar.
—(KNO)
