Zaffer Iqbal
Uri (Baramulla), Jan 20 (GNS): Days after residents of Uri expressed serious concern over non-availability of public transport during evening hours, the Motor Vehicles Department has issued a formal notice to stand operators, directing them to restore evening services or face action including possible cancellation of registration.
Local commuters from several frontier villages had told GNS that public transport services, especially Tata Sumos operating on interior routes, stop running beyond 3 pm, causing commuters, particularly students, employees, women and elderly citizens, to remain stranded for hours or pay additional fares.
Passengers from areas including Garkote, Nambla, Hathlanga, Silikote, Sourha, Machikrand, Charunda, Salamabad, Kalgai, Kamalkote, Gawalta, Chananwari, Bagna, Niloosa, Bijhama and other LoC-adjacent belts said the issue has grown severe over winter months.
Following public complaints, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Baramulla, Mudasir Ahmad (JKAS), has issued a written notice to the President of Sumo Stand Uri, terming the situation a violation of directions already passed during a meeting held on December 17, 2025.
According to the notice, the stand authorities had been instructed to ensure evening transport availability “at least up to 6 PM in rural areas and up to 7 PM in urban areas.”
“You are directed to explain within 2 days why the directions have not been implemented and why the general public has been made to suffer,” the official communication, reads a copy of which lies with GNS, further warning that failure to comply will invite action under norms and may lead to cancellation of the stand’s registration.
Locals have in the meantime welcomed the official intervention, hoping it will ease mobility issues in the border belt soon. (GNS)
