At a time, when the state owned buses from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana cater to the needs of the passengers moving out of J&K and vice versa by providing state of art fleet of buses with all the modern facilities besides maintaining the schedules precisely, the condition of buses of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has become dismal with people boarding these as their last option.
No doubt the introduction of e-buses is a welcome step but due to certain limitations, these could not ply on all routes thus making it imperative for the incumbent government to take decisive action and rejuvenate the fleet of government buses by buying the vehicles of latest models and amenities. During the regimes of successive governments the corruption in the erstwhile JKSRTC was a big issue but today believing the statements made by the helmsmen, corruption has become the thing of the past therefore by rejuvenating the fleet of buses, this sector could be turned into the profit making sector that will promise comfort and convenience to the passengers besides ensuring good earnings for the Corporation. Even the comfort level being offered by the private bus operators is of the next level thus making it necessary for the Omar Abdullah led government to take serious note of the issue and go for complete up-gradation of JKRTC.
It is unfortunate that under present circumstances, the buses that make up the JKRTC fleet are far from suitable for modern transportation needs. The buses are often old, unreliable, and uncomfortable, failing to meet the expectations of a growing population that deserves better travel facilities. This dismal situation affects not only local commuters within Jammu and Srinagar but also those who travel to other districts and states.
The revitalization of JKRTC would have far-reaching benefits beyond merely improving the comfort of passengers. The introduction of efficient and modern buses could also boost tourism by offering comfortable and safe transportation to travelers within and outside the UT. The region’s picturesque landscapes could attract more tourists if the transportation infrastructure is made more appealing.
It is time for the government to act decisively and ensure that JKRTC becomes a symbol of progress and innovation, benefiting commuters and the environment alike.
