STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In the wake of deteriorating law and order situation in Kashmir, the stranded tourists and Amarnath pilgrims have become sacrificial lambs for the unscrupulous transporters.
The local transporters, especially operating from Srinagar, have been minting hefty sums of money from their deep pockets to ferry them from Srinagar to Jammu via road link.
Since small percentage of tourists opted for air travel, large number of pilgrims and tourists who could not afford air fare have become easy prey for these transporters.
Rough estimates suggested the Sumo/Tempo drivers are charging Rs 3,000-Rs 4,000 per seat for individual seats on the route which normally costs Rs 500-600 per seat in peak season.
In the absence of very few options the stranded pilgrims and tourists are succumbing to the lure of finding a berth on the wheels and stepping out of the valley.
A senior government employee told STATE TIMES, “I wanted to send my family back home but due to exorbitant rates I could not book their tickets on tempo traveller as drivers were charging Rs 4,000 per seat on Sunday”. He said these tour operators were active in TRC area and all those who are approaching them for safe travel to Jammu they are quoting the same price.
The government employee also claimed very few transporters are taking risk and running shuttle services in the late night and wee hours between Srinagar and Jammu and minting money from vulnerable pilgrims who still find it cheap and safe to spend Rs 4,000 per seat than staying back in a hotel for indefinite time period.
