KEA opposes shifting of Batamaloo Bus Stand, stage protest

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 7: Kashmir Economic Alliance today opposed the Government’s decision of shifting General Bus Stand from Batamaloo to Parimpora and protested here in city centre.
The Government recently announced that the Bus Stand, which is located in the congested Batamaloo area of civil lines, would be shifted to Parimpora area of the city outskirts along Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The Government has already acquired 100 kanals of land for the terminal.
However, the plan is being strictly opposed by transporters as well as traders who see the decision as a “ploy to weaken the central importance” of the historical city.
Farooq Ahmad Dar, who is the acting chairman of KEA, told Excelsior that the shifting of the bus stand not only will affect the transporters but also traders. “This isn’t an issue of transporters only. We have 400 shops in the Bus Stand and if it is shifted, they would be directly affected,” he said, adding: “the entire system will get disturbed.”
He accused the Government of Dual standards and said: “The Government is invoking High Court order. But, why is that order being implemented in Kashmir only. Why not Jammu? The bus stand in Jammu is also located at a congested place.”
Dar asked the government to focus on the rehabilitation of flood victims instead of “framing anti-people plans”.
President of All Kashmir Transport Welfare and Western Bus Service, Haji Bashir Ahmad Matta, told Excelsior that the shifting of bus stand will “create problems” for the trade community. He said the shopkeepers who are doing their business from last 50 years in the vicinity of the Bus Stand would face extreme problems. “The consequences would be disastrous for the trade community,” he said.
Matta said the passengers who come from far flung villages will also face difficulties if the bus stand is shifted. “Batamaloo is an ideal place for the bus stand and it is beneficial for all,” he said, adding: “most importantly, the SMHS hospital is just a kilometer away.”
Earlier, the KEA staged a protest against Government’s decision in Press Enclave here. The protest was attended by traders, transporters and house boat and taxi owners. On the occasion, police detained some of the protesters.

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