Punjab – A significant Punjab Roadways strike brought transportation services to a standstill on Friday morning as contractual workers of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation staged a massive protest at Ludhiana Bus Stand. The demonstration shut down operations for nearly three hours, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and causing widespread chaos across the district. Workers blocked bus stand gates and clashed with police officers attempting to restore normalcy.
The Punjab Roadways strike erupted following the alleged detention of several senior union leaders late Thursday night and early Friday morning. In a dramatic show of dissent, protesters climbed a nearby water tank to register their opposition while preventing any bus movements from the facility. The agitation caused significant disruption as buses remained off the road from 5 am, affecting office-goers, students, and daily commuters throughout the region.
Controversy Over Kilometre Scheme Tenders
The Punjab Roadways strike was organized specifically to oppose the opening of tenders for the controversial kilometre scheme. This scheme allows private contractors to operate buses while retaining only the conductor from the Roadways workforce, effectively reducing employment opportunities for regular workers. The tenders were scheduled to be opened on Friday, just hours after union leaders were taken into custody, which workers viewed as a deliberate attempt to suppress their protest.
The timing of the detentions and tender opening became a flashpoint in the Punjab Roadways strike. Union members alleged that authorities deliberately arrested their leadership to prevent organized opposition to the privatization move. The kilometre scheme has been a contentious issue, with workers fearing large-scale job losses and the erosion of their employment security.
Union Leadership Speaks Out
Jagtar Singh, joint secretary of the union in Ludhiana, provided details about the Punjab Roadways strike and the events leading up to it. He revealed that nearly 100 union members were taken into custody, including general secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon and vice-president Harkesh Kumar Vicky. The detentions occurred as workers had planned to hold rallies across the state to oppose the tendering of luxury Volvo and HVAC buses.
“To protest this unjust action, we immediately decided to shut down bus operations of both Punjab Roadways and PRTC,” Singh stated. The Punjab Roadways strike expanded when remaining members attempting sit-ins at depots in Patiala and Bathinda were forcefully detained by police. Some union members in Patiala and Sangrur even sustained injuries during these actions, further intensifying the protest.
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Government Assurances Remain Unfulfilled
The union highlighted that the Punjab Roadways strike stemmed from broken promises by the state government. In a press release, workers stated that the Punjab chief minister had given written assurance in a meeting on July 1, 2024, to resolve their demands within a month. However, instead of addressing their concerns, the government and police administration detained leaders and workers attempting peaceful protests.
The union declared that the Punjab Roadways strike would continue indefinitely until detained members were released and their demands met. “No Punjab Roadways or PRTC buses will operate until our demands are addressed,” union representatives emphasized, signaling their determination to sustain the agitation.
Commuters Face Severe Hardships
The Punjab Roadways strike left hundreds of travelers struggling to reach their destinations. A lecturer commuting daily from Moga to the city explained, “As the Roadways and PRTC buses were not running, it was very hard to find a bus. I managed to get on a private bus, which was overcrowded.” The shutdown forced commuters to rely on limited private bus services that quickly became packed beyond capacity.
Businessman Atul Mongia shared his frustration, stating he had to reach Chandigarh at 9 am but missed his appointment because all government buses were off the road and private buses were full. Local resident Ishank Sharma had to arrange a taxi costing significantly more than regular bus fare to visit his sick brother-in-law in Chandigarh.
Fleet Composition Amplifies Impact
The severity of the Punjab Roadways strike was amplified by the workforce composition at both depots. Ludhiana Depot operates 94 Punjab Roadways buses, with approximately 90 percent run by contractual staff. Only about 10 buses operated by regular PRTC workers were running on Friday. Similarly, PRTC has 135 buses at its depot, most operated by contractual employees, with only 10 to 20 percent plying on the road during the protest.
The traffic congestion outside the bus stand worsened as private bus operators parked vehicles on the main road to allow commuters to board, creating gridlock in the area.
Authorities Attempt Resolution
Navraj Batish, general manager of Punjab Roadways Ludhiana, confirmed that authorities were engaging with agitated workers to resolve the Punjab Roadways strike. “Those who had climbed the water tank have come down. We are trying to get as many buses back on the road as soon as possible. Talks with union members are ongoing to restore normal operations,” he stated, indicating efforts to end the standoff.
