Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Jan 16: Public transport services remained completely suspended today across Reasi district due to transporters’ protest against the government decision to conduct vehicle fitness inspections exclusively in Samba.
All modes of public transport stayed off the roads causing inconvenience to the commuters. Passengers, especially those intending to travel to Jammu and other destinations, were left stranded and several commuters from Reasi and Pouni claimed that in the absence of public transport, they were left with no option other than to postpone their journeys or make alternative arrangements.
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Transporters informed that the protest started after the authorities failed to revoke the order despite repeated representations.
“We conveyed our objections well in advance to the concerned authorities but no action was taken which left us with no option other than that of strike,” said a transporter.
According to the protesting transporters, a recent directive issued by the Transport Department required vehicle owners from Reasi district to travel to Samba for mandatory fitness certification. They questioned the rationale behind the move, noting that fitness inspection services were earlier available within their own district.
The transporters argued that travelling to Samba for routine fitness checks places unnecessary financial burden on vehicle owners and demanded immediate restoration of local fitness inspection facilities in Reasi, as was the practice earlier.
Meanwhile, aggrieved passengers also staged a protest at the tempo stand, briefly blocking the main road. They said that in the absence of public transport, they were unable to reach their destinations. Later on Police reached the spot and pacified the protesters assuring them of alternate arrangements to help them reach their destinations.
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