Roadways strike hits commuters for 2nd day

Hundreds of commuters, who were to travel during the weekend using bus services from the bus stand, remained badly affected as only private buses were available to them.

Not knowing that the strike was continuing for the second day today, the commuters reached bus stand with their luggage and had to wait for over an hour to catch a bus to reach their destination. Many travellers including elderly women and families with children had to walk long distances with their baggage towards the outer gate of the bus stand to catch the buses.

The Punjab Roadways, PRTC and Punbus staff were on strike since yesterday protesting against the reported implementation of kilometre scheme. The protest continued for the second day today amid unruly scenes in Patiala yesterday and the government's decision to issue notices and pass orders of termination of services of others.

Vikram Singh, President of Punbus Depot 1, showed the notice received on his phone yesterday and termination order that he got today for participating in the strike and causing loss to the exchequer. "You have caused financial loss of Rs 21,459 in two days for missing the duty and hence your services are being terminated", the order issued today read. The staff siding him said that they could not let the government act so harshly against the employees.