Srinagar, April 27 -- Nazakat Aslam

Srinagar- At a busy bus stop in Srinagar, a minibus driver sits behind the wheel, watching passengers drift past. He glances at the empty seats behind him, uncertain if anyone will board, an unease that now defines his everyday routine.

That unease spilled onto the streets on April 20, when transporters across Srinagar enforced a "Chakka Jam," bringing the city to a halt. For thousands of commuters, it was a day of inconvenience. For minibus operators, it was a question of survival.

Behind the disruption lies a growing crisis. As the government-backed fleet of electric smart buses expands steadily across Srinagar and into adjoining areas, traditional minibus operators say they are being pushed to the...