e Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC contract staff protest chokes Kharar-Chandigarh road

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 15

Commuters and residents had a tough time as members of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union staged a protest against the state government on roads and staged a sit-in near Kharar bus stand today.

A massive turnout of 7,000 contract employees of 27 depots from all over Punjab were demanding regularisation of the employees’ services.

The protests led to a massive traffic jam on the Kharar-Chandigarh road. The protesters had gathered at the spots since morning and continued the protest till around 7 pm. The police tried to negotiate with the protesters by giving them an alternative protest site, but the employees did not agree.

The police had put up barricades at several junctions which further inconvenienced commuters. Residents of TDI City, Shivalik City, SBP Homes and other colonies on the Nijjher road were also inconvenienced as their entry and exits were clogged with vehicles stuck in traffic jams. Commuters vented their ire against the police for stopping the traffic near Cheema Boilers Ltd before the traffic lights on Airport Road and TDI.

The union leader, Resham Singh, said: “It is ninth day of the strike but no one in the Punjab Government is hearing us. Employees are being outsourced temporarily. I have had five meetings with the newly appointed Chief Minister and also with the newly appointed Transport Minister, but nothing has come out. I apologise to the people of Kharar for the inconvenience caused to them but our protest will continue till the Punjab Government comes up with a solution. The farmer organisations are also coming out in out support.”

‘Take strict action against agitators’

A resident of Kharar, Akashdeep Singh, who was caught up in the traffic jam for close to two hours in the morning, said, “The police should take strict action against the protesters and remove the barricades immediately. The protesters should not harass residents here and protest at designated sites.”