JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 15:The All J&K Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) has raised strong objections to what it terms “arbitrary enforcement and inconsistent policies” that are steadily crippling the transport sector in Jammu and Kashmir. In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, the association laid out a series of pressing grievances, warning that unless corrective measures are taken, thousands of drivers, transporters, and small operators could face severe financial distress.
The memorandum, signed by senior office bearers including Chairman Karan Singh Wazir, Chief Patron Parvinder Singh Happy, President Vijay Singh Chib, and other prominent members, highlighted multiple concerns ranging from arbitrary blacklisting of vehicles and the financial strain of Automatic Testing Stations (ATS) to the non-revision of passenger fares and delays in operationalizing e-bus routes.
According to AJKTWA, vehicles in J&K are frequently blacklisted without any transparent criteria or fixed threshold, exposing drivers to harassment and threatening their livelihoods even in cases of minor or pending challans. The association alleged that many challans are being issued through uncalibrated cameras and hand-held devices, undermining fairness and accuracy in enforcement. “This practice has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among transporters who are being penalized without due process,” the memorandum said.
The transporters also expressed deep concern over the imposition of Automatic Testing Stations. They argued that the ATS model was introduced without proper consultation with stakeholders and accused the administration of imposing an unjust fee structure that favors private operators while burdening drivers and owners. The association noted that states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Ladakh have not enforced such stringent norms, leaving J&K transporters at a clear disadvantage. With most ATS centers concentrated in Jammu district, operators from remote areas are being forced to travel long distances for compliance, creating logistical and financial hardships. The association further cautioned that privatized ATS could become monopolistic without regulatory oversight, leading to arbitrary failures, exploitation, and no clear grievance redressal mechanism.
Another longstanding issue flagged by the association was the delay in fare revision. AJKTWA pointed out that passenger fares in J&K have not been revised since 2021, even as fuel prices, insurance premiums, spare parts, and maintenance costs have escalated sharply. The burden of rising expenses, they said, is pushing transporters into financial losses with no relief in sight.
The association also criticized the delay in implementing e-bus routes that had already been finalized after multiple high-level meetings involving the Transport Commissioner, RTO Jammu, CEO Smart City, technical experts, and representatives of the transport community. Despite consensus, the finalized routes remain pending, creating uncertainty and stalling progress in modernizing the transport system.