NEELUM (Kashmir English): The transporter mafia in the Neelum Valley district has become a nightmare and a source of humiliation for the passengers travelling on the Sharda Highway.
Drivers and conductors abuse passengers, including women, and force them to travel in an inhumane manner while humiliating them.
According to details, the suspects booked in the case related to the firing on the famous transport company Sangu Travels bus are still roaming around, showing the authorities’ negligence.
The situation for travelers is further exacerbated by a severe shortage of transport, leading to overcrowding and excessive fares. Taking advantage of the lack of seating capacity, transporters force dozens of passengers to sit on the roofs of buses and vans.
Exorbitant fares have become the norm as transporters charge exorbitant fares without any regulatory oversight.
According to a survey, the transport running on the Neelum Highway is the most expensive, slow, and dangerous in the state. Hundreds of thousands of passengers travel daily from Muzaffarabad to Taubat and get humiliated and beaten up.
Students are also facing difficulties instead of getting concessions in fares.
The transport running on the Neelum Highway is also a major source of the smuggling of valuable herbs and wood.
Citizens have demanded that Chief Secretary Azad Kashmir and Commissioner Muzaffarabad Division should take immediate action against the transport mafia.
They urged the authorities to allow the private transport company Sangu Travels to operate on the Neelum Highway, as permitted by the Supreme Court, to provide safe and excellent travel facilities.
Travelers demanded action on the FIR registered against the Pappu transporter for stopping and firing on Sangu Travels’ vehicle at Chalhana.
“Legal action should be taken by arresting the accused to ensure the rule of law and ensure safe travel facilities.”
