Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association has announced a complete shutdown across the Union Territory on December 15, protesting what it termed as anti-transporter policies and administrative decisions affecting the livelihood of thousands associated with the transport sector.
Addressing a press conference, General Secretary, Jammu Kashmir Transport Welfare Association, Sheikh Muhammad Yousuf, said the decision was taken after repeated appeals to the authorities failed to yield any concrete relief. He said the shutdown would include buses, taxis, trucks, minibuses and other commercial vehicles across both Kashmir and Jammu regions.
Sheikh Muhammad Yousuf said one of the major concerns is the proposed introduction of more e-buses in Kashmir and Jammu without addressing the survival of existing private transport operators. He said transporters are not opposed to modernization but object to policies that displace traditional operators without consultation or compensation.
The Association as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also strongly objected to what it described as an excessive hike in fitness fees, stating that the increased charges have placed an unbearable financial burden on vehicle owners already struggling with high fuel prices, maintenance costs, and reduced earnings.
Another major grievance highlighted was the issuance of what the Association called illegal e-challans. Yousuf alleged that transporters are being penalized arbitrarily through automated systems without proper verification, forcing drivers to pay fines even in questionable cases.
The planned installation of Automatic Testing Centres in both regions also drew sharp criticism. The Association said allowing private players to operate ATS would give them unchecked authority to impose arbitrary charges on vehicle owners. Yousuf warned that privatization of such essential regulatory mechanisms would lead to exploitation of small transport operators.
Additionally, the Association demanded clear policy implementation regarding e-rickshaws and other e-transport vehicles, insisting that such vehicles should be allowed to operate only on designated routes to prevent traffic chaos and unfair competition.
The Association said the December 15 shutdown would be peaceful but firm, and warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would intensify the agitation in the coming days. [KNT]
