Shutdown leaves transport business crippled in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 10 (ANI): The strikes and shutdowns have had an adverse impact on the transport industry in Kashmir.

The past ten days' clamp on all activities in the valley has caused massive loss to the taxi and bus operators in Srinagar.

People associated with the transport industry, who wait the entire year for the months of May-June to make money from tourism, were forced to sit idle, as there was no business due to the shutdown.

"Our vehicles were not operational for past many days. We are daily wage earners making around 200 to 300 rupees a day,," said Mohammed Sidiq, a taxi driver.

After facing a similar situation last year, when the region was rocked by some massive protests and violence, the people were hoping to make up for their losses this tourist season, but have been disappointed.

The taxi drivers and bus owners who have to pay interest to the banks against the loans taken for their vehicles are facing a hard time to make the ends meet.

Disappointed by the frequent strikes in the region, the transport operators are planning to give up the business.

"We will decide what to do, whether to continue with this work or to return back our vehicles to the government. These strikes and shutdowns have become a nuisance. Our children will also remain uneducated because of these strikes," said Haji Bashir Ahmad Matta, chairman, Kashmir Valley Transport Association. (ANI)