Up in arms: Protesters block KKH over relocation of bus terminal

Sherwan Bus Terminal manager says his union is not participating in demonstration

ABBOTTABAD: Residents of various parts of Tanawal held a protest at Fawara Chowk in Abbottabad over the Tehsil Municipal Administration’s decision to shift Sherwan Bus Terminal.

The protest on Thursday was called by Pakistan Peoples Party district president Syed Saleem Shah. A large number of residents from various villages blocked Karakoram Highway for four hours. They took out a procession from Kutchery Road and reached Fawara Chowk, carrying banners and placards.

Shah said the terminal was shifted from Kutchery Road to Shimla Hill Road on January 23. “The new stand is situated at a considerable distance from villages,” he said. “Passengers with luggage would have to spend extra money to reach the new stand. The decision will place an extra burden on locals.”

According to Shah, he met the tehsil nazim and asked him to allow three buses to embark and disembark passengers at the old terminal. However, the demand was refused. “This is likely to expose villagers to countless problems,” he said. “We will continue to protest until the decision is reversed.”

Cycle of inconvenience

A large number of passengers were inconvenienced by the protest. Many people abandoned their cars on the road and walked to their destination.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at Fawara Chowk and minor scuffles were reported between the police and protesters. Abbottabad AC Mir Raza, Cantonment DSP Khurshid Tanoli and district councillor Waseem Khan Jadoon held negotiations with the protesters. They eventually dispersed after they were assured their grievances would be resolved on the recommendation of a five-member committee on Monday.

Awaiting a settlement

Babu Ilyas, a manager of Sherwan Bus Terminal, told The Express Tribune his union is not participating in the protest as Abbottabad tehsil nazim Ishaq Sulemani vowed to resolve the matter by February 2.

He said the decision to shift the terminal has created problems for passengers who frequent Sherwan route. However, Ilyas firmly believed the tehsil nazim would help shift the terminal to a site that is easily accessible.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2016.