JK Govt approves 18% hike in public transport fares from January

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved an 18% increase in public transport fares, with effect from January 1, 2026.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, Santosh D Vaidhya.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa, Acting Transport Commissioner J&K Anju Gupta, Managing Director JKRTC Abdul Rashid War, Additional Secretary General Administration Department Rohit Sharma, Joint Transport Commissioner Vikas Anand, and Regional Transport Officer Jammu Jasmeet Singh. Several officials from the Planning and Development Department were also present. The Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, joined the meeting through virtual mode.

Representatives of the All J&K Transport Welfare Association, led by its Chairman Karan Singh Wazir, also participated in the meeting.

During the discussions, the association highlighted a sustained rise in fuel prices, taxes, and operational costs. They pointed out that public transport fares had not been revised for nearly five years despite mounting financial pressure on operators.

After detailed deliberations, the Principal Secretary of Finance agreed to the demand and approved an 18% hike in transport fares across the Union Territory.

Officials, in the meantime, said the revised fares will come into force from January 1, 2026, following issuance of a formal notification by the Transport Department. (GNS)