Public transport in Srinagar has become a significant source of frustration for commuters, as a severe shortage of private transport services continues to mock government claims of improved public transport facilities.
The daily ordeal of finding a reliable bus has turned commuting into a gruelling task for residents, particularly along the crucial Pantha Chowk to JVC Bemina Highway.
Passengers along this route report that buses are few and far between, with some waiting as long as an hour for a single mini-bus to arrive. "There are very few buses plying on the Parimpora to Pantha Chowk Highway," said a frustrated commuter from Banihal.
"Because of this, I couldn’t reach Nowgam Railway Station on time and ended up missing my train," the disgruntled passenger lamented.
This critical highway is not just a random stretch of road; it serves as a lifeline for numerous important government offices and institutions, including the Nowgam Railway Station, the State Board of School Education (JKBOSE), the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Government Polytechnic Women's College, SKIMS Medical College Hospital, the Town Planning Organization, and the Hajj House.
The employees working in these departments are often late to their offices, exacerbating their daily commute's stress.
For many, reaching their destinations on time has become a daily battle. Commuters frequently have to change buses multiple times, often walking significant distances between stops.
"I have to walk more than two kilometers on foot between Tengpora and Bemina areas of Srinagar City just to reach my office," shared one employee.
"The buses that do arrive are fully overcrowded, leaving us with no choice but to endure the discomfort."
The overcrowding of buses has reached a critical point, with passengers packed in so tightly that breathing becomes difficult. "This is a routine affair for us," said another commuter.
"Despite daily heated arguments with bus drivers, nothing changes," said the disgruntled commuter.
Adding to the frustration, these overcrowded buses crawl along at a snail's pace, making the already difficult commute even longer.
The situation is so dire that many commuters have resigned themselves to enduring the discomfort in silence, fearing that raising their voices will lead to stigmatization.
"Due to the shortage of transport, we have no other option left but to travel in overcrowded buses. We can’t raise our voices against these issues as we fear being stigmatized," one commuter lamented. "There is no other option but to bear it silently," he said this while turning his head in other direction.
The current state of public transport in Srinagar stands in stark contrast to the government’s promises of better services.
While authorities continue to tout improvements in public transport, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The shortage of buses and the resulting overcrowding have turned daily commutes into a nightmare for many, particularly those who depend on public transport to reach critical destinations like Nowgam Railway Station and various government offices.
Commuters are left to wonder when, if ever, the government will address this growing crisis. Until then, the people of Srinagar must continue to navigate their daily lives amidst the chaos of an unreliable and overcrowded public transport system.
The need for immediate and effective action is clear, yet solutions remain frustratingly out of reach.
As the situation worsens, calls for change are growing louder. However, until concrete measures are taken, Srinagar's residents are left with little choice but to endure their daily commute with patience and resignation, hoping that relief will come sooner rather than later.