Punjab bandh hits train, road traffic, commuters bear brunt

The Punjab bandh called by farmers today disrupted train and road traffic, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in freezing weather conditions.

Over 220 trains hit

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Over 220 trains were impacted, including Shan-e-Punjab, Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi and New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express. Freight trains on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor were also disrupted.

At Ambala Cantonment railway station, passengers, including families and workers, crowded platforms, waiting areas and ticket counters as many trains were cancelled, short-terminated or rescheduled. People huddled in blankets to combat the cold. A similar scenario unfolded at the Ambala Cantonment bus stand, where bus services to Punjab were suspended. Commuters faced delays, with Haryana Police guiding them through alternate routes.

Sikander Singh, waiting for a bus to Patiala, said, “I reached Ambala from Bihar with fellow factory workers, but there are no trains or buses to Punjab. We've been waiting since morning and have no idea how long this will last.”

Bunty Kumar, stranded with his family at Platform-1, said, “We were travelling from Mathura to Ludhiana, but our train was short-terminated at Ambala. Waiting here with children in this cold is very hard.”

Over 220 trains were impacted, including Shan-e-Punjab, Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi and New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express. Freight trains on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor were also disrupted.

Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mandeep Singh Bhatia said 74 trains were affected under the Ambala Division. “Traffic was restored as soon as tracks were cleared,” he said.

A Haryana Roadways official informed that 15 Ambala depot buses to Punjab were diverted to routes like Chandigarh and Kalka for passenger convenience.

Daily commuters and travellers, particularly those on essential journeys, expressed frustration, criticising both the agitation and the lack of governmental response to manage the crisis.