JAMMU: Taking note of concerns over the safety and convenience of women travelling in public transport, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the authorities to ensure that seats exclusively earmarked for women are not merely reserved on paper but effectively enforced on the ground.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani while hearing a PIL filed by advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir.
The Transport Commissioner has been asked to ensure compliance with Circular No. 3 TC/2025, which reserves seats 1 to 12 for women in large buses and seats 1 to 9 in mini buses. The Court also ordered that these seats be clearly marked with the words “Reserved for Ladies” in bold letters.
Besides, the J&K Legal Services Authority will conduct awareness programmes for drivers and helpers, sensitising them about their responsibilities and possible penal consequences for violations.
The Transport Department and Traffic Police have also been directed to jointly create a proper complaint and grievance-redressal mechanism for women commuters.
The authorities have been asked to submit a compliance report when the matter comes up for hearing on October 6, 2026.