Students suffer as GDC Bandipora faces critical transportation crisis

Abdul Basit 

 

Bandipora, June 09: Students of GDC Bandipora are facing severe crisis with regard to the transportation as the college has only one bus for about 1600 students while the public transporters refuse to run a service upto the college owing to odd location.

           For more than a decade the college has been able to acquire four buses while only one bus has been put into service that can only ferry 24 passengers at a time. “The bus is just a customary act for 1500 students. The College authorities have neither been able to motivate the private transporters to run a service upto college till date nor have made any serious effort to acquire buses,” said Suhail Ahmad, a  student from Bandipora town.

          Government Degree College Bandipora is situated at Patushai Hills- about 7 kilometers from the main town. Owing to hilly terrain especially from Patushai village upto the top of Patushai hills where the college is located, the private transporters and Auto rickshaws refuse to go uphill thus forcing the students to trek more than a kilometer to reach the College.

During the rainy season and hot days, Students especially female students face severe challenges that even force them to stay at home as it becomes a herculean task.

          Iqra, another student voiced her concerns, stating, "The district administration has arranged a three-wheeler service for us from Main Bandipora to the college. However, the three-wheeler vehicles drop us off at Bandipora-Sopore Highway, forcing us to navigate a muddy mountain path. This path becomes impassable during rainy days, making it impossible for us to walk. As a result, some female students often miss classes and stay home to avoid the hazardous and slippery road conditions."

"The college has three buses designated to commute between the college and the main Bandipora area, but we only witness one bus operating, and that too in an irregular manner," another Suraya complained. 

The students further alleged that the bus service only begins in June and is unreliable as the buses operate according to their own whims.   

        College administrators have stated that they have four BS4 model buses, and the government has imposed restrictions on their usage on certain roads. However, it is ironic that college staff use the same buses  for themselves and during picnics to other districts.

          The students ridiculed the logic and excuse provided by authorities for not using the other two busses. “If government has banned their use, how do they travel in the same buses to far off districts during college picnics?” said another student, Shabir Ahmad. “To avoid hiring private vehicles on higher rates and save money, they use college vehicles but have no concern for students who have to spend more than Rs 3000 on transportation every month from town upto the college,” he added.

        The college administration is facing criticism as concerns grow over their alleged failure to ensure proper operation of college buses. Students have raised questions regarding the administration's decision to restrict or hinder the buses from plying on the roads in a suitable manner. 

In addition, a student claimed that the college's ambulance has remained in a state of disrepair for several years, rendering it useless.

These issues have sparked significant concerns among the students regarding the overall management and facilities provided by the college administration.

        Student Demands Proper Pick and Drop Services in College Buses and 3-Wheeler Vehicles to Include Drop-off at the College Gate

        Students of GDC Bandipora have made a heartfelt appeal to the Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora, Dr. Owais, to address the pressing issues they are facing as the college administration has miserably failed to look into their woes.

They have urged him to look into the matter and take necessary actions for the betterment of the student community. 

The students have also requested the college authorities to promptly resolve the ongoing issues, recognizing the importance of a timely resolution to enhance their academic experience.

        However, while discussing the issue with the Principal of GDC Bandipora, he said that the issue is genuine and related to the students. He mentioned that the college currently has four buses which are BS4 models, but the government has restricted the use of such buses for plying on roads. “The college has already forwarded the issue to the ARTO officer in Bandipora, and they are hopeful for a positive resolution”.

        Regarding the ambulance issue, the college does not have proper registration for that vehicle. However, in critical situations, they have been using the ambulance. “If the college continues to run vehicles illegally, it could have a negative impact on the students,” he added.