SRINAGAR, Feb 12, 2026 — Minister for Transport Satish Sharma informed the Legislative Assembly today that while the construction of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) office in Sopore was initiated several years ago, the project is currently stalled due to ongoing litigation. Replying to a question raised by Legislator Irshad Rasool Kar, the Minister explained that work was halted following an intervention by the High Court. The legal dispute stems from claims by local residents that the designated site is classified as grazing land (Khacharai), leading to a stay on further development.
Minister Sharma assured the House that the Transport Department is “vigorously following” the legal proceedings to resolve the matter. He confirmed that a detailed, para-wise reply addressing the claims has already been submitted to the High Court to expedite the clearance of the project. Highlighting the current logistical capacity of the region, the Minister noted that Sopore’s existing infrastructure remains active, with the Transport Yard managing approximately 150 buses and mini-buses, while the Truck Yard at the Fruit Mandi handles a significant volume of 350 trucks daily.
