Srinagar: The female students commuting through the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) buses from various areas, including Siligam Aishmuqam, Aarigola Aishmuqam, Seer Humdan, Hutmurah Anantnag, Mattan, and KP Road Anantnag, found themselves stranded as the IUST transport department abruptly halted services without providing any explanation.
The sudden disruption has raised concerns among the student community as it impacts the accessibility of education for female students in these regions. The affected students were left bewildered as the IUST buses, which they heavily rely on for transportation, came to an unexpected standstill.
The IUST transport department’s decision to delist the route to Seer Hamdan Anantnag has further fuelled frustration among the students.
This move appears to contradict the much hyped initiatives of the LG administration like Ladli Betti and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, aimed at promoting education and ensuring the welfare of female students.
Students affected by this sudden suspension of services express their disappointment, emphasizing the impact on their academic pursuits.
“The lack of transport facility from the IUST transport department has left all the students in the dark. We seek answers from the administration as why our routes were excluded from the route plan of the university buses,” the agitated students told Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
Earlier, the IUST administration said that some of the buses have got condemned in light of the government’s directions.
“Also, we will not be offering transport to our own employees, as they are getting a good monthly transport allowance,” a top official of IUST said.
He said that the university is in the process of procurement of new buses and the matter is being expeditiously followed so that we are able to provide transport facility to the remaining students who may not be interested to avail hostel accommodation. (KDC)
