Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: In a joint meeting held today, the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu Region Chapter (PHDCCIJR) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK) strongly urged the Government to introduce a direct public bus service between Jammu and Kakryal.
The demand arises from the growing hardships faced by daily commuters, particularly patients visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital and students attending SMVD University.
Rakesh Wazir, Chairman PHDCCIJR and president HRAK, highlighted the disconnect between the Government’s slogans like “Healthcare for All” and the ground reality. He noted that despite Kakryal housing two premier institutions, there is still no direct public transport from Jammu—a gap that has remained unaddressed for years.
“Patients and students have to switch two to three vehicles daily to reach Kakryal, making the journey not only time-consuming but also physically draining,” Wazir stated.
Echoing similar concerns, HRAK Chairman Shyam Lal Kesar said that hundreds of patients, many of them from economically weaker sections and covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, undergo a taxing commute involving multiple transfers—from Jammu to Domel, then Katra, and finally Kakryal—often in overcrowded minibuses with erratic schedules.
“Can a heart patient really endure three packed mini-bus rides just to reach the hospital?” Kesar questioned. He added that the situation is equally dire for SMVDU students and staff who struggle with long, exhausting daily travel, impacting their performance and well-being.
Virender Kesar, senior vice president HRAK, proposed a dedicated bus route from Jammu to Kakryal via Ambphalla, Panjtirthi, Sidhra Bypass, and Domel, with morning and evening departures. He also recommended a similar service from Katra.
The meeting was attended by Ajay Kotwal, Vivek Sharma, Sudershan Sharma, Ramneek Nawada, and others, who supported the call for immediate Government action to ensure accessible transport for healthcare and education in the region.
Follow our WhatsApp channel