Srinagar, May 6: For years, the passengers of public transport vehicles, particularly buses, have been complaining of improper route plans, which consume their precious time. With the increase in the number of vehicles and subsequent traffic jams, this public inconvenience is increasing with each passing day. But, till now the authorities have failed to bring respite for the common man.
 Due to weird route plans, the passengers have to face a tough time as they mostly don’t reach their destinations in time.
 Majority of passengers travelling by public transport buses complained that half of their time goes waste in bus travel due to “ill planned routes.”
 “Usually one has to spend an hour or more to cover 3-4 kilometre distance. At times one feels its better to walk on foot, than move at snail pace in a bus,” said a student Maleeha Gulzar of Government College for Women MA Road. 
 Maleeha is not the only complainant. Students of the SP College shared similar views. 
 “From Qamarwari to Exchange road, it takes us one and half hour. Buses stop frequently after moving a few yards,” complains Anees Shafi of Qamarwari.
 He and other commuters said moving towards Lal Chowk from Budshah Bridge side was more messy.   
 “Through the diversion of buses via Maisuma, the passengers are put to unnecessary inconvenience,” said a bus passenger while pointing towards traffic jam at the Budshah Chowk.
 Experts question the traffic diversion towards Maisuma. “Traffic police should divert private vehicles rather than passenger buses via the congested road,” said an expert.
 Similar situation is stated by commuters coming from south City. Instead of coming directly to the City center of Lal-Chowk via Jehangir Chowk, the buses have to make a long journey via Raj Bagh TRC route. 
 “We have to cover around four kilometers more to reach Lal-Chowk,” said Jan Muhammad of Hyderpora.   
 Similarly, the buses goings towards tourist hub of Boulevard and Mughal Gardens have to take alternative road via congested inner lanes of Habba Kadal, which commuters complained, consumed them their precious time in the messy journey.
 District Commissioner Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo declined to comment on the matter saying ‘it is a technical matter, better to talk to traffic police’. 
 Commenting over the issue, Superintendent of Traffic Police Shoket Hussain said the problems face by commuters would be mitigated adding that steps were being taken in this regard.
 He, however, said the buses couldn’t be allowed to ply on the MA Road as it was “already over burdened with traffic.”
 About the Red Cross Road mess, the SP said: “I held a meeting with the shopkeepers there and asked them to stop parking vehicles on road. But they made lame excuses. Now we are going to take alternative measures.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 May 2010 00:00:00 IST