Sonepat depot cites staff shortages, financial losses, unfulfilled demands

Members of Haryana Roadways on Monday held a two-hour protest under the banner of the Haryana Roadways Karamchari Sanjha Morcha at Sonepat Depot. After the demonstration, employees submitted a memorandum to the General Manager of Sonepat Depot addressed to the Transport Minister.

Union leaders Rampat Gorad, Sanjay, Sanjeev and Manjeet Pehal said the government is neglecting the Haryana Roadways Department. They alleged affordable and safe transport services, preferred by the general public, businessmen, students and female students, are increasingly being handed over to private operators. While the Transport Minister claims government buses would reach every village, the inclusion of electronic buses and kilometre-scheme buses is reportedly pushing the department towards heavy losses while benefiting private parties.

The union also highlighted severe shortages of drivers and conductors, as well as staffing gaps in Roadways workshops. Despite government claims of reducing unemployment, hundreds of posts in the department remain vacant, increasing the workload and stress on existing employees.

Union leaders said the government has held negotiations and acknowledged that employees’ demands are genuine, but no action has been taken. This inaction, they said, is forcing staff to bear financial losses.