Jammu: Nine months after the 2024 Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, several local transporters are reeling under severe financial stress due to non-payment of dues by government agencies.
These payments, amounting to over ₹30 crore in Jammu division alone, remain pending despite multiple appeals to authorities.
During the elections, many private transporters had deployed their vehicles—trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles—on the orders of the administration to support poll-related logistics including the movement of security forces, election material, and staff. However, the promised payments from departments such as the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Jammu are still outstanding.
According to transporters who spoke to The News Now, they had provided services in good faith, a long-standing tradition during elections. But never before have they faced such prolonged delays. They claim that the situation is worse in Kashmir, where crores in dues also remain unpaid.
“We had to borrow money from banks to pay the vehicle owners who supported us. The interest on those loans is now crushing us,” said one aggrieved transporter, explaining how they’ve been forced into debt after honoring commitments made to drivers and subcontractors.
Transporters have approached the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Finance Department, and Home Department of J&K to resolve the issue—but with little success. What adds to their frustration is the knowledge that transporters from outside J&K who operated during the elections have reportedly been paid in advance, while local service providers are left waiting.
Feeling abandoned, the transporters have now appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and facilitate the release of payments. “We trusted the government. In past elections, payments came on time. But this time, we’re being harassed and ignored,” one transporter said.
The crisis has reached a point where transporters are threatening to boycott future elections—including the upcoming panchayat polls—if their payments are not cleared soon.
“If this continues, we’ll be forced to protest on the streets. We cannot afford to be treated this way again,” said another.
Transport unions have warned that the growing distrust among local service providers could seriously disrupt logistical operations for any future government or election-related activity.
