JAMMU, Jun 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating public transport system in the border district of Poonch, saying the shortage of reliable transport services is causing severe inconvenience to residents, particularly those living in remote and border villages.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation said inadequate transport facilities have made daily commuting difficult for students, government employees, patients, senior citizens and other residents, affecting their access to education, healthcare and other essential services.
Shazad Ahmed Malik said the public transport system in Poonch is in an abysmal state and no longer fulfils the basic mobility needs of the people. He observed that several villages continue to remain poorly connected, while the limited number of buses and passenger vehicles often leads to overcrowding, long waiting hours and considerable hardship for commuters.
Dr. Malik emphasized that an efficient and dependable public transport system is a basic necessity for any region, particularly in border and hilly districts where geographical challenges already limit accessibility. He said people residing in these areas are among the worst affected due to the lack of dependable transportation options.
Calling upon the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Transport Department to take immediate corrective measures, Dr. Malik urged the authorities to introduce additional bus services, improve connectivity to remote villages, rationalise transport routes and ensure regular monitoring of transport operations to provide affordable, safe and reliable services.
The JK-BADC maintained that strengthening the public transport network would significantly improve the quality of life of the people in Poonch and contribute to the district’s socio-economic development. The organisation expressed hope that the government would take prompt and effective steps to address the long-pending transport issues faced by residents of the border district.