KATHUA, Aug 27: The Samarpan Setu Foundation J&K has raised concern over complaints from women passengers alleging that some e-buses operating on the Kathua-Jammu route are refusing to stop for them or allow them to board, despite the availability of free travel facilities for women in government-run public transport.
Foundation President Manuj Kesar said that if the complaints are found to be true, such a practice would defeat the purpose of a welfare initiative intended to ensure safe, accessible and affordable public transportation for women.
“A free travel scheme has meaning only when women are actually allowed to avail the service. If buses are deliberately skipping women passengers because their travel is free, the matter requires immediate intervention by the authorities,” Kesar said.
He urged the concerned transport authorities and district administration to take cognisance of the complaints and examine the conduct of buses operating on the Kathua-Jammu route. He called for strict directions to ensure that women passengers are not denied boarding at designated stops.
Kesar also sought the establishment of a clear and accessible mechanism through which passengers can report instances of denial of boarding. He said appropriate action should be taken wherever an investigation establishes that passengers were deliberately denied service.
The Samarpan Setu Foundation J&K appealed to women passengers who face such incidents to report them with specific details, including the location, time and other relevant information, so that genuine complaints can be brought before the appropriate authorities for verification and necessary action.
The Foundation maintained that welfare schemes can achieve their intended purpose only when eligible beneficiaries are able to access them without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.