Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 11: The All Kashmir Transporters Confederation (AKTC) today urged the administration to act swiftly on a detailed agenda of longstanding issues affecting the transport sector, saying that operators are struggling to sustain their businesses.
Addressing a press conference here, AKTC Chairman Mir Mohammad Shafi said the confederation had earlier submitted a 10-point agenda to the Commissioner Secretary of the Transport Department and the Transport Commissioner, highlighting problems ranging from taxation and insurance delays to vehicle documentation and road maintenance. “The issues were formally discussed with the Commissioner Secretary on October 6 and with the Transport Commissioner on November 8 in Jammu,” he said.
Shafi said the Government has assured transporters that the concerns are under active consideration, but he stressed that urgent action is needed. “We expect early resolution of all issues we have highlighted,” he said.
A key grievance is the recent move by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to double the fitness fee for old-model vehicles. Shafi said transporters were initially told the fee would be split into two half-yearly installments, but a fresh notification was issued instead, creating confusion and financial strain. He added that the confederation plans to take the matter to higher authorities if no resolution is reached.
Other challenges highlighted by the AKTC include delays in the issuance and renewal of route permits, slow insurance and registration processes, multiple local taxes imposed across districts, alleged harassment of drivers at checkpoints, pending transport subsidies, and the need for uniform implementation of transport rules across Jammu and Kashmir. The confederation also called for improved road maintenance, simplified digital documentation for vehicle owners, and financial support for transporters who have suffered losses in recent years.
Shafi said the transport sector is under “immense pressure,” with operators facing rising costs and administrative hurdles that threaten their ability to operate sustainably.
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