Peace Brings Wheels of RTC to Karnah

Suhail Khan

Kupwara, Jan 01: In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, central government schemes implemented since the abrogation of Article 370 have fostered development and a more peaceful environment. For the border villages of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) bus service has been truly transformative.

Operated by JKRTC, this bus has become a lifeline for the residents of Teetwal and Tangdhar (CT), border villages located in the Karnah Valley of Kupwara district. Other areas near the Line of Control (LoC)—including Karnah, Kralpora, and Chowkibal—also benefit from the service.

A senior civil official told Kashmir Convener that the bus departs Teetwal at 8:30 a.m., covering 83 kilometres to reach Kupwara by 11 a.m. The journey is slowed by the hilly terrain, military convoy movements, and thorough security checks at Sadhna Top. From Kupwara, he added, the bus travels an additional 86 kilometres to arrive in Srinagar by 2 p.m.

According to the 2011 Census, approximately 80,000 people reside in Teetwal and Tangdhar. The population is predominantly from the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, both listed as Scheduled Tribes.

“Previously, reaching Kupwara cost at least ₹600 for a private Tata Sumo,” Muzamil Ahamd told Kashmir Convener. In contrast, the bus fare to Srinagar is just ₹300—a substantial saving for communities largely dependent on livestock rearing and small-scale agriculture. “Many here work as porters at nearby military bases due to the proximity to the LoC,” Ahmad added.

Residents had long petitioned authorities for improved connectivity. Their efforts succeeded in May 2023 when the then-Kupwara Deputy Commissioner, Doifode Sagar Dattatray, approved the service and officially flagged off the bus.

Saja Begum, 55, from Tangdar village in Karnah tehsil, told Kashmir Convener that the service has enabled women to access better healthcare. “Today, pregnant women can travel for regular check-ups. Before this, complications during childbirth often left us relying on divine intervention,” she said.

In conversation with Kashmir Convener, Shameema Begum, 52, said, “In upper Karnah, almost no household owns a vehicle. We depend on selling wood for income and lack resources. We could not even travel to nearby areas for better opportunities. However, since the government introduced this bus service, we can easily travel to Kupwara and even Srinagar at affordable fares.”

The bus has also eased concerns about education. Jaspreet Singh, 26, a college student from Tangdhar studying in Srinagar, said, “We can now plan weekend visits home, which was impossible before. Students and their families have benefited immensely.”

Private vehicles often avoid the route in snow. However, with the UT administration’s border tourism initiative—launched over two years ago—there is optimism that roads will be maintained and the bus service sustained.

Locals report increased tourist footfall since the bus began operating. While cross-border tensions previously restricted tourist access to these areas, the ceasefire agreement of February 25, 2021, brought considerable stability. Tourists gradually began using an online e-permit system to visit. However, the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in early 2025 led the government to impose precautionary restrictions on border tourism across several locations in Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior JKRTC official in the Kashmir Division told Kashmir Convener about the villagers’ active role in the initiative. “Locals helped identify suitable driver and conductor candidates. After shortlisting, the department conducted formal interviews. Such collaboration empowers the community and secures livelihoods,” he said.