Kashmir Transporters Strike Against Smart City Bus Expansion

Transporters across the Kashmir Valley observed a complete 'chakka jam' (road blockade) in protest against the India===Jammu and Kashmir government's proposed expansion of Smart City bus services to various districts beyond Srinagar and Jammu. The All Jammu and Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, led by Shabir Ahmad Matta and Mahmood Yusuf, called for the strike, expressing fears that the expansion, which includes introducing 200 more electric buses and offering free rides for women, would severely threaten their livelihoods. The protest caused widespread disruption to normal life and traffic, stranding commuters, including students and office-goers, across districts like Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Handwara. Transporters argue that the government's decision was made without consulting stakeholders and that policies should not come at the cost of thousands of families dependent on the transport sector. They have urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and address their concerns.