Awantipora residents demand bus services to Srinagar
Pulwama: The residents of different areas of Awantipora hamlet of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are demanding daily bus services from Awantipora to Srinagar.
The inhabitants of Awantipora, Padgampora, Dangerpora , Reshipora, Larkipora, Malangpora and neighbouring localities said that though bus service is operational on national highway from Anantnag to Srinagar but Awantipora area residents are finding it difficult to get space in them.
They said that the buses are full of passengers coming from Anantnag in the morning and then returning in the evening, but Awantipora residents don’t get space in them due to overload and sometimes buses don’t even stop there.
Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Awantipora mentioned the hardships faced by the people in the area, including employees and students, who need to commute to Srinagar for work or educational purposes.
He said patients and the elderly are also facing problems in the absence of proper bus service in the area.
Rashid Hussain, another local resident said that the services plying on the highway are of no use for Awantipora residents as most buses bypass the town while many don’t stop on new highway due to overload.
He said that there is an immediate need for bus services from Awantipora to Srinagar so that the locals get some relief.
Currently locals have no option other than to board sumo cabs who drop them in Pantha chowk only and they have to take other modes of transport to reach Lalchowk.
Locals said that they have brought the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities, who had assured them that services would commence soon but nothing has been done so far.
In light of this situation, the residents of the Awantipora area have urged the road transport corporation authorities and the District Commissioner of Pulwama to take steps to provide proper transport facilities in their area.
Jahangeer Ganaie
