Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 7: Traffic Police today launched a drive against illegally parked maxi cabs on BC Road in Jammu and issued challans to several vehicles for violating parking regulations, triggering protests from operators who termed the action detrimental to their livelihood.
Officials said parking and commercial operations on BC Road have been prohibited under directions issued by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu to streamline traffic movement and reduce congestion in the busy area.
During the drive, police personnel removed vehicles parked along the roadside and warned operators against picking up or dropping passengers from the restricted zone.
The action, however, drew resentment from maxi cab operators, who claimed that the alternative parking space provided at Indira Chowk/JDA Parking near the General Bus Stand lacks basic facilities and receives inadequate passenger footfall.
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The operators said the arrangement has severely affected their daily income and inconvenienced commuters.
One of the drivers said the transport business had already suffered during the previous tourist season following the Pahalgam attack, and shifting operations away from BC Road has pushed many operators towards financial distress as they are struggling to find passengers at the new location.
Another operator alleged that he was challaned even while refueling his vehicle.
A police officer said that during a recent meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, maxi cab and taxi operators had mutually agreed to operate only from the designated Bus Stand parking area.
However, despite repeated advisories, some operators and agents were again found carrying out operations from BC Road in violation of the orders.
The officer said Traffic Police once again appealed to the operators to strictly follow the directions and board or de-board passengers only from the authorised parking area, warning that strict action would continue against violators.
He added that any further grievances projected by the operators would be taken up with the district administration for an amicable resolution.
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