Residents protest discontinuation of smart bus service in Pulwama
Srinagar: Residents of several villages in Pulwama district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have expressed resentment over the discontinuation of the smart bus service.
According to Kashmir Media Service, they said absence of the bus has caused considerable inconvenience to commuters, particularly students, patients and daily wage earners.
The residents said the buses have not been operating on routes connecting Newa, Inder, Gudoora, Parigam and Karimabad villages for nearly three weeks, leaving hundreds of commuters dependent on private transport.
“For the last three weeks, we have not seen the smart buses on our route. No explanation has been given for their suspension,” said Abdul Ghani, a resident from New Colony, Pulwama. “Many people had adjusted their daily schedules around the bus timings. Now they are forced to spend more on transport”, he added.
The resident said that even the authorities issued orders to restart the service, but to no avail. “We can’t afford the expensive travel by cabs”, he added.
The smart bus service was introduced months ago on the Nowgam, Srinagar to New Colony Pulwama route and was welcomed by commuters as an affordable and reliable mode of transport. K
