Sopore, Jan 21 : The Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Baramulla, Mudasir Ahmad, on Wednesday said no official order has been issued regarding any increase in transport fares and warned of strict action against operators charging passengers higher rates without authorisation.
Addressing a meeting of transporters at the Dak Bungalow here, Ahmad said the department has received proposed fare lists from various areas, but these are yet to be approved. He expressed concern that several transporters had already raised fares prematurely.
“Any driver found overcharging passengers without official approval will face strict action, including blacklisting of the vehicle and suspension of the driving licence,” he said, as per Kashmir News Service (KNS).
Emphasising road safety, the ARTO said disciplined and responsible driving was essential. “Everyone must return home safely, and that is only possible when drivers strictly follow traffic rules,” he said.
Ahmad said the Transport Department would continue to conduct traffic awareness programmes, while urging passengers to remain informed about applicable rules while travelling in commercial or private vehicles.
He said traffic regulations are updated regularly and warned that habitual offenders involved in reckless driving would face cancellation or suspension of their licences under existing norms.
Referring to complaints regarding lack of transport availability during evening hours, the ARTO said the department would conduct surprise inspections at transport stands across the district in the evenings to ensure compliance and provide relief to commuters.
Vehicles found absent from designated stands at scheduled timings, particularly on rural routes, would attract fines and other punitive measures, he said.
“In urban areas, transport services must remain accessible. Winter conditions cannot be used as an excuse to inconvenience the public,” Ahmad said, adding that transporters must prioritise passenger needs.
He also directed all transport operators to ensure that their vehicles carry valid documents and meet regulatory requirements before operating on the roads.(KNS).
