Karalpora, Jun 10 (JKNS): More than sixty vehicles operating from the Sumo Stand in Kralpora, located in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, have reportedly exceeded their legal service life and continue to ply on roads despite lacking valid documentation and fitness certificates.
Local residents alleged that, apart from a few Matador vehicles, over sixty Sumos operating from the General Bus Stand and Sumo Stand in Kralpora have either been declared unfit under transport regulations or no longer possess valid registration and fitness documents.
According to locals, the continued operation of such vehicles poses a serious threat to public safety. Travelling in condemned or unfit vehicles places passengers’ lives at risk, and their presence on public roads increases the likelihood of accidents.
Residents questioned how these vehicles continue to operate without proper fitness certificates and legal documents, saying it raises serious concerns about the efficiency and vigilance of the Transport Department.
They further claimed that similar expired and unfit vehicles are operating from several other small and large Sumo stands across the area, carrying passengers daily despite being technically unroadworthy.
People fear that such negligence could lead to a major tragedy at any time. However, no concrete action has reportedly been taken by the Transport Department against these vehicles.
Sources said that while the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) Kupwara has issued repeated warnings directing vehicle owners to obtain fitness certificates and renew required documents, little action has followed once the deadlines expired.
Collective notices are often issued to vehicle owners, directing them to complete documentation and fitness formalities within fifteen days.
However, residents allege that these notices rarely translate into ground-level enforcement.
The report further states that several Matador vehicles also continue to transport passengers without valid fitness certificates and documents, often carrying passengers beyond permissible limits.
This, locals say, further highlights shortcomings in transport regulation enforcement.
Sources also alleged that some drivers operating from the stand do not possess valid driving licences. When contacted, Bashir Ahmad, President of the General Sumo Stand Kralpora, confirmed that more than sixty vehicles at the stand are operating without complete documentation.
He stated that vehicle owners have been instructed to complete all necessary paperwork and formalities within fifteen days to one month. Failing this, their membership of the stand would be cancelled.
However, residents point out that similar instructions have been repeatedly issued for the past two years without any meaningful action.
They claim that both the Sumo Stand management and the ARTO office have continued to grant extensions while avoiding strict enforcement. According to locals, vehicle owners have been hearing the same “fifteen-day deadline” for nearly two years, yet no substantial measures have been taken to ensure compliance.
Residents have urged the authorities to take immediate action against unfit vehicles, enforce transport regulations strictly, and ensure passenger safety before any untoward incident occurs. JKNS)
