Jammu, June 9 – Kuldeep Kumar Rao, a noted social and political activist, has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to restore and expand public transport connectivity in the Thathri sub-division of Doda district.
In a formal appeal to the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah, and Transport Minister, Mr. Satish Sharma, Mr. Rao has sought the reintroduction of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus services from Jammu to Joura-Halaran and from Joura-Halaran to Jammu. He also requested the initiation of daily services between Jammu and Chiralla Tehsil Headquarters, as well as from Chiralla to Jammu.
Highlighting the hardships faced by residents in the region, Mr. Rao pointed out that a regular RTC service from Halaran to Doda, started in 2016, was discontinued due to alleged negligence by the bus conductor and driver. The suspension of this service, he noted, had exacerbated the difficulties of people from four panchayats — Joura Kalan, Joura Khurd, Halaran, and Houja-Jia.
In addition to transport services, Mr. Rao emphasised the poor condition of roads in the region. He called for immediate widening and black-topping of several key stretches, including Bhatola to Halaran-Joura Khurd, Halaran Morh to Sichal-Goila, Sultan Morh to Surunga-Joura Kalan, Punaja to Chiralla, and Thathri to Jangalwar-Chirra and Bhallara.
He alleged that despite significant expenditure on road infrastructure, no government buses operate on these routes, leaving only Tata Sumo vehicles and a few private mini-buses to serve commuters at high fares. “It is unfortunate that the economically weaker sections of these remote areas are being forced to bear such a financial burden,” he said.