J&K Government Approves 18% Hike in Public Transport Fares from January 2026
Srinagar, Dec 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved an 18 percent increase in public transport fares across the Union Territory, effective from January 1, 2026.
The decision was taken during 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. Officials from the Planning and Development Department were also present, while the Regional Transport Officer Kashmir participated through virtual mode.
Representatives of the All J&K Transport Welfare Association, led by its Chairman Karan Singh Wazir, also took part in the meeting.
During the discussions, the transport association highlighted the continuous rise in fuel prices, taxes, and overall operational costs. They informed the government that public transport fares had not been revised for nearly five years, despite increasing financial pressure on transport operators.
After detailed deliberations, the Principal Secretary Finance accepted the demand and approved an 18 percent hike in public transport fares across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said that the revised fare structure will be implemented from January 1, 2026, after the Transport Department issues a formal notification in this regard.
