Srinagar, Mar 11: The inhabitants of Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Khanaqah-e-Moula and Bohri Kadal in Shaher-e-Khaas here have sought the early resumption of bus services to these areas.
 According to the residents, these interior areas were connected through public transport till 2002. “Matadors used to ferry hundreds of passengers everyday from Gaw Kadal via Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal to the Khanaqah-e-Moula and then to Bohri Kadal,” the residents said adding that there was a full fledged Matador stand at Madina Chowk Gaw Kadal and Bohri Kadal.
 The residents said the government stopped the matador service abruptly in the mid 2002 without citing any specific reasons. “The people living in these areas faced immense hardships due to non-availability of the transport service and are still facing huge inconvenience,” said Shabir Ahmad of Fateh Kadal.
 He said the people either have to tread miles to reach Lal Chowk or have to first reach Khanyar Chowk to board the bus for the City center. “Earlier, people used to board the bus at their respective places and reached Lal Chowk in minutes. But, going to Lal Chowk is now a horrendous task,” Shabir Ahmad said.
 According to a resident of Khanaqah-e-Moula, those in hurry to reach Lal Chowk have to hire the auto rickshaws and shell out huge amount of money. “With buses unavailable of this route, the only mode of transport is auto rickshaws for those who are in hurry to reach Lal Chowk,” the resident said.
 The residents of these areas also complained that the people, especially the women and girls returning home after office hours in the evening were also facing huge inconvenience due to non-availability of transport service.
 “The female folk has to walk on foot a long distance to reach their respective destinations after their office work,” the residents said adding the people especially women face immense hardships particularly during the chilling winter and when snow gets accumulated on the roads causing slippery conditions.
 The residents said that with the educational institutions opening next week, the children will also suffer due to lack of bus service on these routes. “The small children and students studying at Women College M A Road, S P College and S P Higher Secondary school have to walk everyday to and fro from their homes to the respective educational institutions,” the residents added.
 Not only the residents, but the business community in these areas said that their trade had been affected due to stoppage of bus service.
 “The people who used to purchase merchandise from Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal have stopped coming due to non-availability of buses,” the traders said and accused the government of indulging in “political vengeance” by deliberately stopping the service.
 The residents of these areas demanded restoration of bus service. “The government should resume the service forthwith or should start plying Sumos on these routes,” the residents said adding the Madina Chowk bus stand has already been converted to a full fledged Sumo stand.
 Repeated attempts to contact, Transport Commissioner, Me’raj Kakroo and the RTO Muhammad Anees proved unsuccessful.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST