Transporter face hardship in absence of Chief Board of Inspection at RTO Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Transporters on Thursday invited the attention of the administration to difficulties facing them on account of the non-availability of the “Chief Board of Inspection” in the office of the Regional Transport Office here.

A delegation of transporters told news agency GNS that from the last 26 days, almost 50% of the vehicles are lying non-functional, causing tremendous difficulties to them as well as the commuters.

They said that no Fitness test is being carried out since the last officer, assigned with the duties, was transferred and in absence of any replacement, the transporters are made to suffer a lot.

“First, there was Wajahat sahib who was transferred to Ganderbal and then, he was replaced by Mubashir Sahib. However, within two days of the latter’s appointment, he was moved out but without making any replacement,” they said, adding, “We are now concerned as to who is assigned the job by the government but our concern is that there is no officer to discharge the duties which have resulted in great injustice to us.”

General Secretary of Transport Welfare Association Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Yousuf told GNS that the government will impose fines and penalties for the delay without there being any fault on part of a particular transporter.

“It is a great injustice to us. Almost 50% of vehicles are lying defunct for want of inspection which has not only affected the daily livelihood of the concerned transporters but as a consequence, commuters are facing tremendous hardships as there is a lesser number of vehicles available on a particular route,” he said and urged the authorities, especially Lieutenant Governor, to depute an officer to function as Chief Board of Inspection at RTO Kashmir.

“We also urge the government to issue instruction not to impose any fine or penalty for the days during which Chief Board of Inspection remained absent,” he requested.