Kashmir Has Its Own Cab Service Now, Thanks To This Engineer With Big Dreams.
Can one think of the nightlife at the place like Kashmir, which shuts with the sunset and because of the security condition here. Amid this, a 29-year-old youth from Srinagar has started his own cab service ‘Novo Cabs’ to bring the service to the doorsteps of people. The valley is witnessing this facility.
“Though we can’t compete with the brands like Ola and Uber, we are trying to give quality service to our customers,” Abdul Majid Zargar, founder of the startup told Adorable faces of Kashmir.
He has planned to set-up the venture in 2019.
“But it was the Article 370 issue and Internet shutdown then which subsequently delayed things. Later, I introduced Jugnoo, a Chandigarh based cab aggregator in Kashmir. But due to certain business clashes and related things in the business, I moved away,” says Majid.
The ‘Novo Cabs’ were officially launched on 1st January this year. “Instead of buying our own cars, we have partnered with a number of taxi drivers and owners and added a touch of modern technology to the whole setup. People can book cabs at a short notice through Novo Cabs app,” says Majid.
So far they have over 100 cars that are on the roads. “It includes Maruti Eeco, Santro, Wagon R and Etios. We will also be introducing the auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers very soon,” he says.
Inspiration For The Startup
He says that Kashmir and its people have suffered a lot. “With this new startup, I believe that this will ease some suffering from their lives. This is a kind of service for the people of my place,” says Majid who has done his Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) from Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora in 2017.
As of now the working hours are from 7 am to 9 pm. “But we are planning to make it a 24/7 service and drivers would work in shifts,” he said.
Women’s Safety Our Priority
Since there is a zero crime rate against women in Kashmir, but Majid says that they ensure the safety of the women when they travel in the cabs.