Chandigarh 10 march 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Important news for passengers traveling in Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC buses. The Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC contract workers’ union has announced a strike on April 7, 8, and 9, where they will block government buses. This could cause significant inconvenience to passengers, especially women, who rely on government buses during these days.
According to reports, during a state-level meeting of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC contract workers’ union, the Punjab government’s anti-worker policies were criticized. Representatives from various depots across Punjab participated in the meeting and expressed their dissatisfaction with the delay in regularizing contract workers. Union spokespersons stated that in July, the Chief Minister had assured that the demands of transport workers would be fulfilled within a month, but after nearly 8 months, no concrete decision has been taken. The government had formed a committee, and the transport minister had also assured that the demands would be fulfilled soon. The workers have already submitted the necessary documents to the government for regularization, but no substantial action has been taken yet.
Due to the neglect of transport department officials, there is widespread anger among workers. In a meeting chaired by Union President Resham Singh Gill and General Secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon, along with other officers Kamal Kumar and Balwinder Singh, upcoming protest programs were announced. They mentioned that from March 13, protests would begin across all depots in Punjab. On March 19, a protest will be held outside the PRTC headquarters in Patiala. On March 26, a protest will take place outside the Chandigarh headquarters. If the government does not take any concrete decisions after this, bus stands will be closed, and a sit-in protest will take place across Punjab on April 3. The union has warned that if the government does not fulfill their demands, there will be a state-wide bus strike on April 7, 8, and 9.
Summary: Bus passengers in Punjab should take note of key updates and changes to services on the 7th, 8th, and 9th, which may affect travel plans.