Coronavirus scare: Open loot by drivers in Bandipora

Suhail Rather

Bandipora, 29 August (PTK): There is an open loot going on in Bandipora and none other than drivers are involved in the act as they charge more than notified rates per passenger especially students and employees who are desperate to reach their destinations.

In Bandipora auto drivers loot passengers by charging double fairs without even maintaining social distancing in their vehicles.

According to locals auto drivers and sumo drivers fill up their vehicles with more than 9 passengers without maintaining social distancing between passengers and compel the passengers to pay double fair.

Public anger and resentment against the auto-rickshaw drivers and sumo drivers has become vociferous and they have been alleging that authorities for the reason known to them.

“I was shocked when an auto driver charged Rs 30 for a two kilometer distance though only Rs 10 were charged before the pandemic. They have resorting to loot while authorities are in slumber,” said Waheed Ahmad Bhat, a passenger.

Rouf Ahmed, a College student said that notified rate from Bandipora to Nadihal was Rs 10 before pandemic but some drivers were looting people on the pretext of Coronavirus scare by stating that it’s decided by transport department to double the fair and they are charging 20 rupees.

“Government must take action against these drivers. They are creating problems for passengers,” he said.

A group of passengers who couldn’t afford to pay the double amount decided to lodge a complaint in office of Deputy Commissioner and also Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Bandipora. “This is open loot and there is no check,” they said.
Locals apeal the district administration to look into the matter so that proper procedures may be followed and passengers may not be charged with extra fairs. (PTK)