Srinagar, May 8: Minister Satish Sharma on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with transport associations and unions from Kashmir Division to address key concerns related to public transport, regulation, and livelihood issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting focused on the functioning of Smart City buses, J&K RTC services, traffic management, and challenges faced by private transport operators. Transporters raised concerns over the expansion of free public transport services, saying it could impact their earnings and long-term viability.
They also objected to the operation of outside-registered vehicles in the region and demanded stricter enforcement of transport laws to protect local operators. Issues related to e-rickshaw regulation, including calls for “one person, one registration” and controlled licensing, were also discussed.
Another key demand was that Smart City buses should operate strictly within Srinagar’s municipal limits to avoid route overlap with private transport.
The Minister directed that a committee headed by the CEO of Srinagar Smart City Corporation examine route extension issues and submit recommendations. He also called for better coordination among Smart City buses, RTC services, and private operators through a unified timetable system.
Sharma assured stakeholders that all genuine concerns would be examined in a transparent and practical manner. He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving public transport while safeguarding the livelihoods of local operators.
He further instructed departments to resolve operational issues in a time-bound manner and ensure coordinated, people-centric transport services across the Union Territory