SRINAGAR: Srinagar Smart City Ltd. (SSCL) today firmly refuted claims made in a news item published in a local newspaper on January 9, 2025, alleging the non-availability of Smart City bus services after 6 PM in Lal Chowk and Civil Lines areas of Srinagar.
In an official statement issued here, the SSCL authorities clarified that the bus services operate according to a robust and well-defined schedule, extending well beyond 6 PM to meet the commuting needs of the general public, including shopkeepers and businessmen in these areas.
“Timely and reliable transportation remains our top priority, and we have consistently ensured adherence to the schedule across all routes,” the statement read.
SSCL provides public transport services across the city and its adjoining districts through 16 routes, comprising 11 intra-city and 5 inter-city routes, with a total fleet size of 98 buses. These services are available to commuters from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM during the winter months and from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM during the summer months. Additionally, certain routes connecting important hospitals and railway terminals offer services until 10:00 PM.
All routes either originate from or pass through the City Centre at Lal Chowk, traversing Civil Lines areas such as IG Road, Sanat Nagar, and Rawalpora. SSCL ensures optimal bus deployment to maintain efficient public transportation. In the Lal Chowk area, bus services are available from early morning until late evening, offering reliable transportation options to commuters.
For public convenience, real-time updates on e-bus services are accessible via the dedicated Chalo App. SSCL ensures efficient service delivery through a real-time monitoring cell.
Furthermore, SSCL regularly publishes advisories about the temporary unavailability of services on specific routes via the Mobile App. These advisories may be issued due to factors such as electricity shortages (as the buses are electrically powered), road maintenance works, or route diversion directives from Traffic Police.
“Our operational framework includes regular monitoring and prompt resolution of any service-related disruptions. A preliminary investigation into this matter has found no evidence to substantiate the reported claims. However, SSCL assures the public that any genuine service gaps brought to our notice will be addressed with utmost urgency,” the statement further noted.
Srinagar Smart City Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient and dependable transportation for the people of Srinagar.
