‘Sumo stand president, said service to resume tomorrow; assured problem be addressed in the coming days’
Bandipora, Jan 03: A dispute between two groups of drivers has brought transportation services to a standstill in the Nowgam Sonawari area of Bandipora district, leaving locals stranded and struggling to manage their daily lives.
Residents voiced their concerns over the prolonged conflict between drivers from Nowgam Sonawari and Singpora Pattan, which has led to a drastic reduction in the availability of public transport.
The locals from the area told the news agency JKNS that the situation has resulted in increased travel times, inflated fares, and, in some cases, a complete lack of transportation services, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
A resident from Nowgam Sonawari said, “The ongoing tension between driver groups has made it difficult for us to commute for work, shopping, and other essential activities. We are paying more for the few available vehicles, and sometimes we can’t find any transport at all.”
Frustrated residents have appealed to the district administration and traffic authorities for immediate intervention to resolve the issue. They stressed that restoring transportation services is crucial to alleviate the hardships faced by the community.
Another local resident Nasir Rasool stressed the need for preventive measures to avoid future disputes. “There should be a clear framework for public transport operations. Authorities must facilitate dialogue between the driver groups and enforce traffic regulations to maintain order,” he said.
Moreover, the residents are hopeful that timely action by authorities will restore normalcy, ensuring the availability of affordable and efficient transport services in the Nowgam Sonawari area.
Meanwhile, Firoaz Ahmed Mir, Sumo Stand President Nowgam, when contacted, told JKNS that they had decided to suspend the service from Nowgam to Singpora today following a dispute yesterday. However, he confirmed that the service will resume tomorrow. He also added that the problem remains unresolved but assured that it will be addressed in the coming days to prevent inconvenience to the public.
