Saqib Rather
Srinagar, June 17: Concerns are mounting among Kashmir’s transport community over reports that an app-based cab aggregator may soon be allowed to operate at Srinagar Airport, with local taxi operators warning that such a move could threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of families dependent on airport transport services.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, senior transport leader Devinder Choudhary said that local operators were not opposed to technological advancements in public transport but insisted that all service providers must adhere to the same regulatory and security standards.
The issue has generated particular concern in Kashmir, where airport taxis serve as a major source of income for hundreds of households. Representatives of the Srinagar Airport Taxi Association said that nearly 350 families directly rely on airport-based transport services and are already struggling with fluctuating tourist arrivals and rising operational costs.
Association president Mohammad Ashraf Lone said local stakeholders should be consulted before any policy decision is finalized.
“The airport taxi sector has supported local families for decades. Any decision affecting this ecosystem should be taken only after meaningful engagement with those whose livelihoods are at stake,” Lone said.
Transport leaders argued that passenger safety, driver verification, vehicle fitness certification, insurance compliance, and accountability mechanisms must remain central considerations in any future policy framework.
Echoing similar concerns from the Jammu region, Gurdeep Singh, representing airport taxi operators there, said that the matter required examination by multiple agencies, including the Transport Department and security authorities.
“Public safety and regulatory compliance cannot be compromised. A transparent assessment involving all relevant departments is essential before any new operator is granted access to airport services,” he said.
The transport fraternity welcomed ongoing efforts by the administration to strengthen oversight of app-based transport services across Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to authorities to ensure a level playing field for all operators.
Union representatives urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, the Transport Commissioner and other concerned agencies to carefully evaluate the economic and security implications of the proposal before taking a final decision.
They cautioned that ignoring the concerns of local transport workers could trigger widespread resentment within the sector and lead to democratic protests across the Union Territory.
For now, Kashmir’s airport taxi operators say they are seeking dialogue rather than confrontation, but insist that the interests of local families and the region’s transport workforce must remain at the centre of any future policy decision.
