Drivers plying on Srinagar outskirt routs charge passengers on the basis of rate list not issued by RTO yet

Srinagar: Residents of various areas including Harwan, Nishat and Shalimar here in Srinagar outskirts Monday alleged that Taxi Drivers Union in New Theed Harwan is displaying a ‘fake’ rate list and charge passengers at will.

They accused Taxi Drivers Union of overcharging of fares from the passengers on different routes in Shalimar, Harwan and Nishat.

The commuters alleged that public transporters plying on link roads interior routes are overcharging fares and violating the fare rates fixed by the government through Transport Commissioner.

They urged authorities to implement proper transport fare rates across Srinagar city so that commuters do not get fleeced any more.

“When I asked about the authenticity of the rate list from a transporter at ‘Faqiruddin Muhammad Taxi Drivers Union’, he claimed it is a genuine rate list, uploaded by Regional Transport Office on its official website.

As per rate list displayed by transporters, passengers are supposed to pay Rs 15 from Harwan to Shalimar, Rs 25 from Harwan to Nishat Brein, Rs 30 from Harwan to Centure Hotel, Rs 40 from Harwan to Nehru Park, Rs 45 from Harwan to Dalgate Lal Chowk, Rs 40 from Shalimar to Lal Chowk, Rs 15 from Shalimar to Ishbar Nishat, Rs 20 from Shalimar to Brein, Rs 25 from Shalimar to Centure Hotel, Rs 30 from Shalimar to Nehru Park, Rs 40 from Shalimar to Dalgate Lal Chowk, Rs 20 from Lalchowk to Nehru Park, Rs 25 from Lal Chowk to Centure Hotel, Rs 25 from Lal Chowk to Karpora Brein, Rs 30 from Lal Chowk to Nishat, Rs 35 from Lal Chowk to Ishbar, Rs 40 from Lal Chowk to Shalimar Cjinar Chowk and Rs 45 from Lal Chowk to Harwan.

When contacted, RTO Kashmir, Ikramullah Tak told news agency KNT that they haven’t issued any rate list yet, though an increase of 20% in transport fare has already been announced.

“We will send a team there to ascertain the facts,” he said adding that a revised rate list will soon be made public. (KNT)