Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that radio taxi service on patterns of Ola and Uber will soon be started across the Union Territory, in order to strengthen the public transport system in the UT.
Unlike the rest of the country, there are no radio taxi services like Ola and Uber in J&K.
The decision to introduce radio taxis in UT was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary Transport, Asgar Samoon here.
“He stated that radio taxi service shall ensure better transport facility with safety of passengers besides creating employment avenues for locals. Samoon said that technocrats, drivers, owners of taxis and auto-rickshaws will be roped in this service, which will be operated through a Google-enabled app on patterns of Ula and Uber services,” an official spokesman said.
Samoon, according to the official spokesman said that Taxi service rules have been notified already and all related work is in progress to launch it soon in J&K.
The spokesman said that directions were also passed by the Principal Secretary to the management of SRTC to ensure early procurement of new buses including electric-ones.
“Samoon asked them to deploy bus services on various routes including Gurez, Ladakh and other remote areas to ensure better transport facility to the travelers,” an official statement read.
At the outset, the Principal Secretary while taking a detailed review of Road Safety Funds emphasized on the deployment of all safety equipment including 110 bikes procured last year.
“This year with the delay in the tendering process, Samoon said that an amount of Rs. 10 crore as Road Safety Fund will be released to DCs Rs 50 lakh each for road safety management in their districts. He instructed for use of radons, identification of black sports, installation of cameras and other necessary equipment to avoid the occurrence of accidents across the J&K,” the official statement said.
