PRTC staff halt bus services over pending dues, commuters hit

Protesting against the state government’s kilometre scheme and the non-payment of salaries, PRTC employees staged a two-hour (12 noon to 2 pm) protest outside the Bathinda bus stand on Tuesday. They not only locked the main gate of the bus stand but also parked buses on the road, blocking traffic.

Though the protest lasted only two hours, it brought city transport to a complete halt. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the GT Road. Commuters faced severe inconvenience in reaching their workplaces. Heavy vehicles were diverted via other city routes, while smaller vehicles moved via the Power House Road and Civil Lines areas.

No government bus was allowed to leave the bus stand for two hours. However, private buses continued to operate outside the bus stand, leading to overcrowding. Some passengers were seen sitting on the roofs of private buses.

Prem Kumar, a passenger waiting outside the bus stand, said he was to travel to Abohar, but was delayed to the protest. Similarly, Davinder Kaur, who was traveling with her children, said she was heading to Fazilka but was stranded due to the protest.

The Punjab Roadways PRTC Contract Workers’ Union warned the government of an intensified agitation if their demands were not met. Union leader Kulwant Singh said the state government had failed to release their salaries, forcing them to protest. He accused the government of favouring the private bus operators.