J&K Government Bans Night Services by Stage Carriage Buses to Enhance Road Safety
By Suhail Ahmad Mir
Srinagar, July 08: The Jammu & Kashmir government has imposed a ban on night services operated by stage carriage buses, citing safety concerns and efforts to reduce nighttime accidents.
“Instances have come to our notice that Public Transport Operators, specifically Stage Carriages (Buses), are operating night services from Jammu to Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, and vice versa without adhering to the timetable. Moreover, some Deputy Commissioners (Chairman RTA’s) have also pointed out this problem and have requested restrictions on night services. This practice is not only fraught with serious consequences but could also lead to fatalities due to road accidents. Additionally, it encourages unhealthy competition among Public Transport Operators. It is reiterated that the Regional Transport Authorities located in every district, headed by the concerned District Development Commissioner, have already been instructed to organize special drives in the wider public interest to curtail this abnormal tendency among such transport operators. Furthermore, officers with inherent powers within their jurisdictions have been instructed to exercise these powers within the parameters of law,” reads the circular of the Transport Commissioner J&K.
An official order issued to the news agency Press Trust of Kashmir further states, “Therefore, it is impressed upon all RTOS/ARTOs and officers with inherent powers within their jurisdiction to restrict night services of Passenger Service Vehicles between Jammu to Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, and vice versa from 10:00 P.M to 05:00 A.M, except in emergent circumstances. Any deviation from these instructions will be viewed seriously and will entail strict disciplinary action against the delinquent officers.”
This directive underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety and ensuring the welfare of the traveling public by mitigating the risks associated with nighttime travel.
