Srinagar, April 22 : Kashmir Transporters in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who had deployed thousands of vehicles for security purposes during the 2024 Amarnath Yatra have complained of unpaid dues amounting to over Rs 200 crore despite assurances that all payments would be made within 15 days of the yatra’s conclusion.The transporters urged the authorities to clear their long-pending payments as they were under severe financial distress.
“It has been more than eight months, and not a single rupee has been released,” one of the aggrieved transporters said. The vehicles were provided through the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir for deployment during the pilgrimage and were also used during the Assembly election period. However, the transporters say they are now being forced to run from pillar to post to claim their rightful dues.
“We procured our vehicles on loans and are unable to pay installments to banks. Our vehicles risk being seized, and we can’t even afford school fees for our children,” another transporter lamented.
With the 2025 Yatra set to begin in June, transporters said it is unjust that they may be asked to prepare for a fresh round of deployment when the previous year’s dues are still unsettled. They have made a direct appeal to the Home Department to intervene and ensure the immediate release of their pending payments. “This is not just about business. It’s about our survival. We fulfilled our duties in good faith and now we are being left to suffer,” they said.https://kmsnews.org/kms/