SRINAGAR: While public transport has remained off the roads for nearly two months, the regular maintenance of vehicles for constant lubrication by professional mechanics has declined drastically, who say they are slipping into huge debts.
Grease wale – as they are known locally – were a common sight in the bus stands and are the most sought out persons.
Riyaz Ahmad Pando , a resident of Khayam area, told Kashmir Reader that he started the lubrication job at an age of 9. “I learnt from my seniors about the parts of a vehicle that need constant
lubrication,” he said.
“In those days, I was not fit enough to apply the pressure on the grease gun that holds the lubricating material. But today I can do the job quickly,” he added.
However, for Riyaz and his counterpart Mehraj Ahmad of Batamlloo, finding vehicles has become difficult as most of the public transport has remained off the roads for two months now.
The public transport, according of these mechanics, needs regular lubrication, “but these vehicles are now idle”.
Bashir Ahmad, a Sumo driver, who had brought his vehicle to the yard to do battery repairs, said that lubrication is must and these men have to work hard on various parts to apply the lubrication to
reduce wear and tear.
They, according to him, charge Rs 50 -80 for lubricating the parts of the cabs, trucks, and buses are charged above Rs 100, while backhoes and loaders at times fetch good money.
The mechanics said that lube prices are increasing regularly with rates of petroleum product with rates of a lit of grease now touching Rs 180- 200 while lube oil touching Rs 100.
Such mechanics, according to the drivers, are available in most of the bus and cab stands, but Batmaloo had been a hub prior to shifting of the main stand to Parimpora.
However, these stands today give a deserted look with buses and tippers sitting idle, and these mechanics only waiting for a call from anywhere in these stands.
“The circumstances have led to a situation where our greasing equipment is now gathering rust,” said Riyaz, who has to feed his family along with the family of his brother – now died.

ARIF RASHID