By: Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar: Transporters continue to face huge losses due to the ongoing lockdown as the sector has incurred the losses of Rs 200 crore in the ongoing lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, Rs 700 crore losses have been registered till now since after abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019.
General Secretary Transport Kashmir, Mohammad Yousuf said that, “Transporters are worst hit by the lockdown not only due to the pandemic, but we are suffering since Aug 5 2019 after abrogation of Article 370.”
“We are in loss of over Rs 700 crore from Aug 2019 which includes Rs 200 crore loss from April 2021 in a fresh lockdown imposed by administration following Covid-19 spread,” Yousuf said.
Yousuf said that, “in previous lockdowns when we were asked to carry only 50 percent seat capacity and the fare was increased by 30 percent but in the ongoing lockdown administration has ordered for 50 percent seat capacity but no fare rate has been increased after ease in the current lockdown.”
“Price of petrol and diesel prices is already touching the sky and we have been asked to move only with 50 percent seat capacity and no hike in fare price. How can we continue our business with this arrangement,” he said.
“Administration earlier had initiated a relief process in form of insurance of Rs 5000 for mini buses and Rs 3000 for sumo and Tavira and Rs 2000 for auto rickshaws respectively, but unfortunately only 200 to 300 transporters have received that amount while rest didn’t get a single penny,” Yousuf said.
“We appeal to the government to reinitiate the pending relief process. Jammu transporters have already received the money but we are being ignored,” he said. (KNO)