For the people of Poonch and Rajouri, travelling to Delhi has long involved more than simply getting on a bus. A passenger from Poonch generally has to first make the difficult journey to Jammu, covering roughly 250 kilometres, and then travel to the Jammu bus stand, wait for an onward service and begin the journey to Delhi. For someone carrying luggage, travelling with family or heading for medical treatment, education or work, the process can be tiring and time-consuming. The reported start of two direct sleeper-bus services between Poonch and Delhi has therefore brought a sense of relief among many people in the Pir Panjal region. A journey that previously required a change at Jammu can now potentially be completed in one direct service. The reported fare is ₹2,500 from Poonch to Delhi. For a region that has repeatedly sought better connectivity, such a service naturally has significance.
- Connectivity Is More Than a Convenience
Good transport is closely connected with people’s everyday lives. Students travel for education, workers for employment, patients for treatment, traders for business and families for personal reasons. When a journey requires several changes, the cost is not only financial. It also consumes time and energy. The official Poonch district administration describes road transport as the principal means of connecting the district with the rest of the country. It also states that travelling between Poonch and Jammu can take around six to seven hours because of the terrain. A direct sleeper service cannot change the geography of the Pir Panjal. What it can do is reduce one of the difficulties created by that geography.
- The Existing Transport Sector Has Its Own Concerns
However, the other side of the issue also deserves attention. Videos circulated online shows opposition to the new sleeper services, including demands for their closure. Existing transport operators have raised concerns about the impact of the new services on their businesses and livelihoods. These concerns should not simply be brushed aside. Many existing operators have been serving passengers for years and depend on the route for their income. Any new competition can affect their passenger numbers and earnings.
But competition and illegal operation are two different matters. If an operator believes that the new buses do not have the necessary permits, documents or approvals, that complaint should be placed before the competent transport authorities. The authorities can then verify the facts and take action according to law. What should not happen is for a disagreement between operators to become a reason for passengers to lose a transport option that they want.
- Rs 2,500 Cannot Be Viewed the Same Way by Everyone
The reported Rs 2,500 fare from Poonch to Delhi also needs a balanced discussion. For one passenger, the amount may appear reasonable because it provides a direct journey and avoids the additional arrangements required at Jammu. For another, particularly a student or someone from a lower-income household, the same amount may be difficult to afford. People have different incomes and different priorities. Some may prefer to travel from Poonch to Jammu by an ordinary bus or cab and then take a cheaper service to Delhi. Others may be ready to pay more for a direct sleeper journey because they value time, convenience and the ability to travel overnight without changing vehicles. There is nothing unusual about people making different choices according to their circumstances. The important point is that they should have choices available to them.
- The Passenger Is Also a Stakeholder
Transport debates sometimes become focused entirely on operators. The passenger, however, is the person for whom the transport system ultimately exists. Existing operators have a right to raise genuine concerns about their businesses. But passengers also have a right to seek services that suit their needs and budgets. Therefore, no individual group of operators should be treated as the sole representative of what passengers want. Public demand should be assessed through actual passenger use, surveys, feedback and transparent consultation—not simply through competing claims.
- Safety Must Be Non-Negotiable
At the same time, public demand alone cannot be enough to justify a bus service. Before allowing any service to continue, the concerned authorities should verify its permits, registration, insurance, fitness certificate and other mandatory documents. The physical condition of the buses should also be checked, along with the safety requirements applicable to passenger vehicles. The authorities should also ensure that the buses are authorised to operate on the particular route and that all applicable transport rules are being followed. The same standard should apply to every operator. A new service should not receive special treatment, but an established operator should not receive protection from competition merely because it has been operating for a longer period.
- Government Has a Larger Responsibility
The present dispute gives the administration an opportunity to look beyond this particular disagreement. If the new buses are properly authorised and meet all safety requirements, their operation should be assessed on those grounds. If violations are found, the law should take its course. At the same time, the government should examine the wider transport requirements of Poonch and Rajouri. If people need more direct services to Jammu, Delhi or other important destinations, additional properly regulated services could be considered. The answer to increased demand should ideally be better public transport—not fewer choices.
- A Balance Between Livelihood and Public Interest
There is no need to present this issue as a battle between passengers and transport operators. Both have legitimate interests. Transport operators need to protect their livelihoods. Passengers need safe, affordable and convenient ways to travel. The government has the responsibility to ensure that these interests are balanced through fair and transparent regulation. The new Poonch-Delhi sleeper buses should therefore neither be accepted without scrutiny nor rejected simply because they have created competition. Their permits, documents, safety standards, route permissions and fares should be examined by the appropriate authorities. If they meet the required conditions, passengers should be allowed to decide whether the service suits them. For the people of the Pir Panjal region, direct connectivity to Delhi is not merely about luxury. For many, it is about saving time, reducing unnecessary transfers and making a difficult journey somewhat easier. It should belong to law, safety and the passenger’s right to choose.
The author is an independent researcher and columnist who writes on public policy, social change, youth affairs and governance. He can be reached at shahidhakla@shahidhakla.com