JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
To make public transport in Jammu and Kashmir safer and more convenient, the Transport Department has taken a major and strict decision. Now, buses and minibuses operating in the Jammu division will be required to strictly adhere to the rules regarding reserved seats for women and disabled passengers. If passengers sitting on reserved seats in a vehicle fail to vacate their seats despite a woman or disabled passenger boarding, action will be taken against the driver and operator. Repeated violations may even result in the vehicle’s route permit being revoked.
In the directives issued by Transport Commissioner Visheshpal Mahajan, it has been clearly stated that while the provision for seat reservation for women and disabled passengers in passenger vehicles already exists, it is not being properly implemented on the ground. Consequently, women and disabled passengers face significant difficulties when traveling daily.
According to the new orders, seats 1 to 12 in large buses and 1 to 9 in mini and medium buses will be reserved for women and passengers with disabilities. Furthermore, bus operators will be required to clearly mark these seats with “Reserved for Women and Disabled” to avoid confusion.
The department has also clarified that if other passengers are occupying reserved seats during a journey and a woman or disabled passenger boards the bus mid-way, those passengers must vacate the seat immediately. The responsibility for this will be placed squarely on the bus driver and conductor.
The Transport Department and Traffic Police have been instructed to conduct regular inspections. If any vehicle operator is found violating the rules during inspections, they will initially be issued a challan, but if they repeat the violation, strict action will be taken against them, including the cancellation of their route permit.
The administration believes that this decision will provide greater respect and convenience to women and disabled passengers on public transport. At the same time, common people say that rules were there earlier also, but this time the administration has indicated to show strictness, due to which perhaps real improvement in the situation can be seen.
