Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 20 

A strike by transport operators disrupted normal life across Srinagar and parts of Kashmir on Monday, bringing public transport to a near standstill and leaving thousands of commuters stranded, officials and residents said.

Minibuses, buses and many private cabs stayed off the roads as operators protested against the expansion of government-backed “smart city” bus services, which they say are threatening their livelihoods.

The impact was most severe in Srinagar, the region’s summer capital, where major routes saw little to no public transport, forcing students, office workers and other passengers to scramble for alternatives.

Commuters reported long delays and sharply higher fares as limited private vehicles and auto-rickshaws struggled to meet demand.

“We had exams today but there was no transport available. I had to book a private cab at a very high fare,” said a student travelling to the University of Kashmir.

Passengers travelling from other districts into Srinagar also faced difficulties, with many saying they were unable to find vehicles due to the widespread shutdown.

Transporters gathered at depots and staged protests, warning of a growing economic crisis within the sector.

“Our livelihood is hanging by a thread. Many families depend on this work, including young people who have taken loans to buy vehicles,” said a representative of the transporters’ association.

Operators said the expansion of smart city buses beyond urban routes into inter-district services had reduced their passenger base, with commuters preferring the newer buses due to greater comfort and subsidised or free travel for some groups.

They also expressed concern over reports that authorities plan to add hundreds of additional buses, saying it would further hurt their earnings.

The strike extended to north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, where public transport remained off the roads, affecting travel to workplaces, schools and hospitals, residents said.

Some commuters said they were forced to walk long distances or arrange costly private transport, while others were unable to reach exam centres or medical facilities on time.

The protest underscores rising tensions between traditional transport operators and authorities pushing to modernise public transport, even as commuters bear the brunt of the disruption.