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By: Suhail Rather

BANDIPORA: Hunderds of Auto drivers in Bandipora district have been on indefinite strike since a month with similar demands, relocation of auto-stand to the previous place however there has been no concrete solution to their issues, thus leaving thousands of commuters stranded in various areas of district.

The people of Nasoo, Nadihal, Onagam, Sonerwani, Puthsay, Watapora, Papachan, Gamroo, Konan and Madar are facing continously immense problems due to the ongoing strike of Auto-rickshaw drivers since a month. The strike also resulted in very thin attendance at Government offices as well as privates and educational institutions.

“There was no autorickshaw at Sonerwani when I left for Putshay college at 9 am on Saturday morning. I had to walk more than four kilometers to get to the mini bus,” said, Nowsheen, a college student while walking by foot at Ajar saying that she reached the college at 11:30.

“I had to attend an official meeting at mini-secretariat Bandipora but couldn’t find an auto-rickshaw to travel,” said Manzoor Ahmad a Government employee.

Similarly, students and office goers said they either reached their destinations very late or in many cases were forced to stay back home.

“I travel from C.A Khan to Kaloosa every day but found it very difficult today due to the strike,” said Yasmeena, a school teacher.

Earlier district administration shifted the auto stand from Gulshan Chowk Bandipora to new bus stand Nusoo to avoid traffic jams in main market Bandipora.

The auto drivers association has gone on strike since a month demanding shifting of the auto stand to the previous place as the new bus stand is located bit far from main market Bandipora.

Meanwhile, the commuters across the district appealed the higher authorities to look into the matter so that they could have a sigh of relief.