Haryana Roadways buses go off roads as employees launch strike

Chandigarh, April 10

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The Haryana Roadways Employees Union (HRWU) on Monday went on an indefinite strike, accusing the state government of "planning to privatise the public transport sector".

Several commuters faced a tough time after buses from 24 Haryana Roadways depots did not ply on their regular routes.

"The Union is protesting the new transport policy that grants permits to private operators. The government is planning to privatise the roadways sector," HRWU president Sarbat Singh Punia said.

The employees went on strike this evening. Haryana Roadways buses from all 24 depots did not ply today, he said.

"However, buses on outstation trips will complete their journey," Punia said.

"The government is promoting privatisation. This is not acceptable. We demand cancellation of permits given to private operators to ply buses on some routes. Since yesterday, the private operators were plying their buses from the Jind depot," he claimed.

Earlier in the day, the striking employees staged a protest at various depots in the state, including those at Bhiwani, Hisar and Jind districts.

Gates of the depots were also locked by the striking employees at some places. They also raised slogans against the government.

"There are 4,000 buses in the Haryana Roadways fleet against the required 16,000 buses to cater to Haryana's 2.5 crore population," Punia claimed.

"There is also shortage of drivers and conductors. Rather than thinking to privatise the Roadways, the government should think of adding more buses and improving the service. There is no demand to privatise the sector from the people, so why should the government show haste?" he asked.

On how long will their strike continue, Punia said, "the ball is now in the government's court." — PTI