SRINAGAR: With the shutdown of internet services across Kashmir since August 5, courier companies have been hit, which according to them is taking a toll on their livelihood.
An employee of a courier company here said that after the internet shutdown, they are not able to receive couriers from the other parts of India.
“Our work is solely dependent upon internet. We are unable to perform any task,” he said, adding, “The employees are not attending their duties from the last 85 days.”
As per the figures, 18 courier companies are working in Kashmir, which includes Blue Dart, DHL, Fedex, DTDC, Trackon, Aakash Ganga and Ecom.
President of Kashmir Courier Association, Zahoor Qari told Kashmir Reader that from August 5, the courier services have been affected.
“We are unable to work in absence of internet,” he said. “During the normal days, the courier companies used to receive the products from different online shopping platforms. After the shutdown of internet, we are not receiving products from these platforms.”
Qari added that on daily basis, lifesaving drugs were sent through couriers – which is important and urgent for the cancer and other patients.
“Nearly 3,000 people are directly dependent upon these companies and 6, 000 indirectly,” he said.
However, DTDC at Khayam is the only courier service company in Kashmir which is working and have internet connectivity.

ARIF RASHID