Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 28: Complete `Chakka Jam’ strike of the public transport operators crippled normal life from Lakhanpur to Banihal, Doda-Kishtwar and Rajouri-Poonch in support of their demand of hike in the fare today while with the intervention of Minister for Transport, Ch Ramzan the transporters suspended strike up to January 31.
All the buses, mini-buses/ Matadors, Tempo Travellers, Tata Sumos/Taxies, auto-rikshaws and all other types of public transport vehicles remained off the road in all 10 districts of Jammu region. It was a complete strike and the passengers, especially Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims, students and Government employees had to suffer in the absence of the public transport vehicles on the roads. The attendance in many Government offices was also thin in view of transporters’ strike.
The transport operators held strong protest demonstration in Ware House area against the State Transport authorities. They were shouting slogans against Transport Minister, Transport Commissioner and RTO Jammu. They alleged that despite repeated representations to the higher authorities, the Government has failed to review of fare of public transport vehicles. Some of them were mounting on the roof top of the vehicles and raising slogans.
At Jammu Railway Station and Bus Stand, a large number of passengers had been stranded. The Government pressed additional SRTC buses to service but they also failed to cater to the passengers’ rush. The people were even seen in many rural areas using mini-load carriers and tractor trolleys as mode of transport in emergency. The inter-state buses of various State Road Transport Corporations plied normally.
Vijay Sharma, general secretary All J&K Public Transport Welfare Association said that with the initiative of Transport Minister Ch Ramzan a meeting of the Association members was held with the Minister and Transport Commissioner in the Civil Secretariat at 2 pm.
Deputy Transport Commissioner M L Raina and Regional Transport Officer Jammu Arvind Kotwal were also present. He said the Minister gave full assurance that during next Cabinet meeting being held on January 31, 2014, their issue of revision of fare will be resolved. He also pleaded that on January 24, the Cabinet meeting could not be held due to some differences of opinion among few Ministers on an issue. In the next meeting the matter would be resolved.
The Minister requested to suspend the agitation. In view of strong assurance from Ch Ramzan, the Association decided to suspend indefinite strike for three days.
Bharat Bhushan Gupta, president Jammu-Poonch Bus Service Union said that strike was complete throughout the region today. The Association regretted the inconvenience caused to the public. He said that on the strong assurance of Minister incharge Transport and CAPD Ch Ramzan during meeting here today, the transport operators decided to suspend agitation up to January 31. They have given indication of 15-16 % hike in the fare. And if the Government remained undecided, the transporters would resume their strike.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman today said that the transporters of Jammu region have decided to withdraw their proposed indefinite strike call. He said the joint announcement was made by the chairman Passenger Transport Association, Anil Chopra and Transport Commissioner, Saurabh Bhagat here today. The decision came after a meeting of the Association members with the Transport Minister Ch Mohd Ramzan.
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