Locals demand restoration of SRTC bus service in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — Residents of Pulwama are demanding restoration of SRTC bus service between Srinagar and Pulwama via New Khanda, saying that they are facing difficulties, due to the continued suspension of service between the two important destinations of Kashmir valley.

The SRTC bus service between Srinagar and Pulwama, via New Khanda, which connected thousands of people of the two districts, was suspended after the lockdown was announced on 24th March, 2020.

The locals said that the SRTC bus service was an important daily mode of transport for the commuters, mainly government employees and businessmen, including students and patients visiting Srinagar hospitals for advanced treatment, which despite opening up of lockdown has not been restored.

Ghulam Mohammad, a local from Pulwama said, “We are facing tremendous difficulties due to the non-restoration of the service, as the service connected many areas, which are off the highway route.”

“There is scarcity of transport facility on this route, which was substituted by SRTC bus service, but the continuous absence of the service on this route, despite opening up the lockdown, has left population of thousands disconnected with other areas,” they said.

They requested the administration to restore the SRTC bus service on Srinagar-Pulwama route via Khanda, which they said caters to a population of thousands, who are suffering due to the non-availability of required transport facilities.

Meanwhile, people from Charar-e-Sharif have also appealed the administration to restore SRTC bus service on Srinagar-Charar-e-Sharif route, which also remains suspended, even after the passage of several days, since the lockdown was reopened.