Jammu comes to standstill, chakka jam called off after govt assurance

JAMMU: The entire Jammu region came to a standstill on Thursday when the private passenger vehicles went off the roads following a call for 'chakka jam' given by All J&K Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA), as it stepped up the demand for abolition of newly set up Sarore toll plaza in Samba district along the Jammu-Pathankot highway, besides other demands.
However, after being assured by the government on consideration within one week of their demands which also included revoking 9% registration tax on new vehicles, and concessions in heavy penalties as per new Motor Vehicle Act, the transporters called off their strike for one week.
Earlier, the private transporters plying their vehicles on the Jammu-Pathankot highway had gone on the indefinite strike on Monday and continued their protest demonstrations against the setting up of the toll plaza.
The commuters, including students and office-goers, faced hardships in the absence of the private passenger vehicles even as the government pressed State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) fleet on different routes to enable the people to reach their destinations.
Auto-rickshaws were also seen plying on some routes in the city, while the people were seen waiting for hours for the transport or going for hitchhiking to reach their destinations.
Accusing the state administration of turning a "blind eye to the genuine demands" of the transporters, AJKTWA president T S Wazir said they were forced to go for "chakka jam" from Lakhanpur to Kashmir.
"The association had given 24 hours ultimatum to the government regarding conceding the long pending demands of the passenger transporters, including abolition of Toll Plaza at Sarore, but the stoic silence maintained by the government on the demands has forced them to go ahead with its strike call," he said.
The association is demanding revoking of new motor vehicle act, including nine per cent one time tax for registration of new vehicles and end to the alleged harassment by traffic police.
As the buses and mini-buses remained off the road, the government representatives met with the transporters and assured them to consider their demands within one week.
“The government, in a written communiqué to the agitating transporter association, today assured that all their genuine demands would be addressed within one week,” sources informed.
They said that Governor Satya Pal Malik and the Chief Secretary would hold meeting with the leaders of Transporter Association at Jammu within 3 to 4 days and the “formal decision would be taken”.
“The roadmap for addressing concerns of the agitating transporters has been drawn and formal decision would be taken in the meeting between Governor, Chief Secretary and the representatives of transporter association,” they said.
Wazir, when contacted, confirmed that the local administration assured them to address their concerns within one week.
“The local administration has assured us to consider our demands within a week after which we decided to defer our indefinite strike keeping in view the inconvenience caused to common masses,” he said.
Meanwhile, reliable sources informed that the government may cut down toll tax at new Sarore toll plaza in Samba district by almost 50%.
“The private and commercial vehicles would be issued passes giving them 50% concession in the toll tax,” sources informed.
As a major relief to the people, the government has also agreed to bring down penalties for various violations under the new Motor Vehicle Act, they said.
Succumbing to the widespread demand from various quarters and indefinite strike by the transporters, this will be done within 4 to 5 days, they said.
“The RTO today assured the agitating transporters that major concessions will be given to people by major cutting down of heavy penalties under the new Motor Vehicle Act,” reliable sources informed The News Now.
It may be mentioned that people had been facing lot of problems since the last few days due to the indefinite strike called by the transporter association, which was also supported by some political parties and other organizations.
The toll plaza at Sarore was inaugurated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on October 11, drawing a strong reaction from all sections of society and political parties, including the BJP which had written a two-page letter to the Union Transport Ministry seeking its abolishment.
The Congress, National Panthers Party (NPP), National Conference and the PDP had also demanded immediate abolishment of the toll plaza.
On Tuesday, the NHAI defended its decision and sought to assure people of hassle-free movement of vehicles.
Transports held protest demonstrations at several places, including Vikram Chowk and Jewal Chowk, in the city for the fourth day on Thursday and raised slogans in support of their demand for abolishment of the toll plaza.

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