Addl SRTC buses to check accidents in Chenab Valley

SRINAGAR: In an attempt to arrest the trend of frequent accidents of public buses in Chenab valley, the state government has decided to deploy additional State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) for various routes of the Valley, to check over-loading and consequent accidents.

Principal Secretary, Transport Department Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon on Wednesday issued a formal order in this regard, asking officers to implement the directions in a week’s time.

The routes where additional SRTC buses will ply include Kashtwar to Kuchall, Kishtiwar to Patnazi, Kishtiwar to Keshwan, Kishtwar to singpora, Kishtiwar to SigdiBhata, Kishtwar to Chingam(Watser), Kishtiwar to Binda Chigam, Thathri to Tanta, Thathri to Chatter, Kishtiwar to Tatani, Kishtiwar to Ghan, Doda to Cheesa.

“Furnish a detailed deployment plan of SRTC buses for Chenab valley to cover these routes within a week,” the order read, adding that G M Saroori, MLA Inderwal had requested Chief Secretary for deployment of these buses.

Samoon also directed the MD JKSRTC to ensure drivers and conductors wear proper uniform and follow all rules and regulations besides safety norms.

In a separate order issued by Dr Samoon, he directed the MD SRTC to operate three buses on identified routes in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner Budgam, ARTO Budgam as people had raised the issue with Advisor Khurshed Ahmed Ganie during his public darabar in Budgam on Tuesday.