Thousands of daily commuters in Ludhiana found themselves stranded as contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) launched an indefinite strike starting Monday. The protest has brought public transportation services to a near-standstill, creating significant difficulties for passengers across the city.
Strike Demands and Employee Grievances
The protesting contractual workers have put forward several key demands that they want the state government to address immediately. The primary demand involves the regularization of their employment status, moving them from temporary contractual positions to permanent government roles. This has been a long-standing issue affecting hundreds of transport workers across Punjab.
Additional demands include better working conditions, improved salary structures, and job security measures that permanent employees currently enjoy. The workers argue that despite performing the same duties as regular employees, they receive inferior compensation and benefits. The strike action follows failed negotiations between worker representatives and transport authorities in recent weeks.
Impact on Ludhiana Commuters
The strike has created massive disruptions in Ludhiana's public transportation network. Commuters arriving at the Ludhiana bus stand faced empty platforms and cancelled services, with many left scrambling to find alternative arrangements. The situation was particularly challenging for students, office workers, and those traveling to nearby cities for work.
Several passengers expressed their frustration at the sudden disruption of services. Many reported being unaware of the strike when they arrived at the bus terminal, only to discover there were no buses operating to their destinations. The timing couldn't be worse for daily wage workers who depend on affordable public transport to reach their workplaces.
Official Response and Future Outlook
Transport authorities have acknowledged the severity of the situation but have yet to present a concrete solution. Officials from both Punjab Roadways and PRTC are monitoring the situation closely while attempting to negotiate with the striking employees. However, as of Tuesday, no breakthrough has been achieved in the discussions.
The strike highlights the ongoing tensions between contractual workers and state transport corporations across Punjab. Similar protests have occurred in other cities in recent months, though the current action in Ludhiana appears to be particularly widespread and impactful. The duration of the strike remains uncertain, with workers vowing to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Local authorities have advised commuters to seek alternative transportation options until the strike is resolved. Private bus operators and shared taxi services have reported increased demand, though many passengers find these options less affordable than the state-run transport services.
