Srinagar: The J&K government has imposed a ban on the operation of night services by stage carriage buses, citing safety concerns, and as part of efforts to reduce nighttime accidents.
“Instances have come to our notice that Public Transport Operators viz; Stage Carriages (Buses) are operating night services from Jammu to Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch and vice versa without adhering to the timetable.
“…some Deputy Commissioners (Chairman RTA’s) have also pointed out this problem and as such requested for restricting night services,” it said
“This practice is not only fraught with serious consequences… but also leads to apprehensions of fatalities due to road accidents. Besides, this practice encourages unhealthy competition amongst the transport operators.
“It is reiterated that the Regional Transport Authorities located in every district headed by concerned District Development Commissioner have already been impressed upon to organize special drives in the wider public interest to curtail the abnormal tendency amongst such transport operators. Moreover, the officers having inherent powers within their jurisdictions have been enjoined upon to exercise such powers within the parameters of law.”
It urged all RTOs/ARTOs and other concerned officers to restrict night services in respect of passenger service vehicles between Jammu to Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch & vice versa from 10:00 P.M to 05:00 A.M except when the same is necessitated due to some emergent circumstances. Any deviation to the above instructions shall be viewed seriously and entail strict disciplinary action against the delinquent officers,” it reads further.
