Peerzada Zubair
Srinagar, July 10: The sumo drivers plying on Kupwara roads are charging overate from passengers since last over one week causing inconvenience to travelers.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said that sumo drivers are charging double fares from passengers while the government had earlier decided to increase the fare charge by only 30 percent.
“Earlier from Kupwara to Trehgam, sumo drivers would charge us 20 rupees, but now they are charging 30 to 40 rupees from passenger and that too under the nose of local administration”, said Mushtaq Ahmed, a locale.
“From Muqam-i-Shah Wali to Kupwara, we used to pay 10 rupees but since the sumo’s are back during the pandemic, the drivers are charging double and there is no SOP maintained by them”, said Showket Malik.
He added, “The administration should look into the matter. And, we know, transporters have suffered huge economic loss, but charging overate does not make any sense while the government has earlier asked them to increase the rate by just 30 percent”.
Assistant Regional Transport Officer Kupwara Jamshed Chowdhury told Kashmir Despatch that action will be taken against those transporters who are not following the guidelines issued by the department. He added that he will personally look into the issue so that the general public won’t suffer.
