Transporters hold protest over e-buses

After a day-long protest against e-buses in Jammu city, transporters on Thursday evening called off their strike following an assurance by the Jammu municipal corporation chairperson Rahul Yadav.

On Thursday morning, private buses and minibuses went off the roads in Jammu city to protest the government move of plying more e-buses on routes where private transporters had major stake in the business.

As soon as private buses and minibuses went off the road, common people bore the brunt of the sudden disruption. However, e-auto rickshaws and petrol auto-rickshaws were seen doing a brisk business in absence of buses and minibuses.

At some places, people were seen walking on foot along with their kids and families. All J&K Transporters Welfare Association president Vijay Singh Chib said that they had reached an agreement with the administration over plying of e-buses in areas.

“The administration had consented to us that it would ply e-buses on routes in the suburbs and rural areas of Jammu, but now, e-buses being are plied on busy routes which has hit our livelihood,” he said.

He recalled how e-autorickshaws has rendered petrol autorickshaws jobless.

“Electric buses are meant for uncovered areas of city, and if they want to ply on busy routes then government should first think about our livelihood,” he added.

He said that around 80 private buses have been affected due to plying of e-buses on busy routes.

However, that people of the city had endorsed e-buses because they are economical and emission free vehicles.

Late in the evening, the Jammu Smart City CEO Rahul Yadav and other officials assured to look into the issue and sought two days time from the transporters to address their concern.

Following the assurances, transporters called off their strike.