Srinagar: Confusion has emerged over a proposed 18 per cent hike in public transport fares in Jammu & Kashmir after contradictory statements were issued by the Transport Department and the ruling National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson, raising uncertainty over whether the revised rates will come into effect from January 1, 2026.
On December 24, the Transport Department issued an official communication stating that the Jammu & Kashmir government had approved an 18 per cent increase in passenger fares following a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Santosh D. Vaidhya. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa, Acting Transport Commissioner Anju Gupta, JKRTC Managing Director Abdul Rashid War, Additional Secretary GAD Rohit Sharma, Joint Transport Commissioner Vikas Anand, RTO Jammu Jasmeet Singh, and representatives of the transporters’ unions.
Officials told Ziraat Times the decision was taken after transport operators highlighted rising operational costs, increased fuel prices, and the absence of any fare revision over the past five years. The statement further said the revised fares would come into effect from January 1, 2026. The department also tagged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and other senior government functionaries while announcing the decision.
However, the narrative took a sharp turn two days later when National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq stated that no such decision had been approved by the government. He clarified that the issue of fare revision was only at a proposal stage and that no final approval had been granted for any hike.
“The government has not cleared any proposal for increasing transport fares. The matter is still under consideration,” Sadiq said, contradicting the earlier official communication issued by the Transport Department.
The conflicting statements have led to confusion among commuters and transport operators alike, with stakeholders uncertain whether the revised fares will be implemented from January 1 as initially indicated.
As of now, the government has not issued any formal clarification reconciling the two positions. Transport operators are awaiting an official notification, while commuters remain unsure about potential changes to fares in the new year.
Comments are closed.