Bus services disrupted in Punjab, Haryana due to strike

CHANDIGARH: Bus services remained paralysed today in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with the state transport employees joining the nationwide strike against the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015.

State roadway and private buses remained off the road in the region. In Chandigarh also, the buses remained off the road.

Roadways employees were protesting in front of bus depots against central government against the proposed road safety bill, reports said.

Security arrangements around various bus stands and depots have been intensified with deployment of additional security personnel in the region.

The day-long strike has been called jointly by road transport organisations -- representing both public and private sector workers -- which are affiliated to central trade unions including All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and BMS.

Various union leaders said that the introduction of the bill would demolish the whole transport infrastructure in the country.

Report from Bhiwani and Amritsar said that there was a complete strike by the roadways employees in the districts.

Auto Rickshaws from the regions have also joined the strike.

Reports from Yamuna Nagar said that early in the morning a few buses were operated to various destinations, including Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla under police protection.

The report said that due to tension between the two groups of employees - one supporting the strike and the other opposing it - the district administration as deployed two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and a District Magistrate with police force to maintain law and order.

A report from Pathankot in Punjab said that goods and passengers transporters commenced their strike as part of the nationwide strike call.

About 3,000 buses and trucks in Pathankot area have joined the strike.

Pathankot SSP Rakesh Kaushal said today, patrolling in the area has been intensified to deal with any untoward incident.