LUDHIANA, PUNJAB — Commuters across Punjab are set to face major travel disruptions as contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) have announced a comprehensive three-day state-wide strike. Following a high-level state committee meeting in Ludhiana, the transport union declared an all-out agitation against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over unfulfilled promises and the perceived privatization of public transport.
The decision was finalized by the Punjab Roadways Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11) following joint deliberations involving representatives from all 27 state bus depots.
Why are Punbus and PRTC Workers Striking?
Union State President Resham Singh Gill and State Founder Kamal Kumar leveled sharp criticisms against the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led administration, accusing it of backtracking on its core electoral promises. The union highlighted several long-standing grievances fueling the labor unrest:
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Failure to Regularize Staff: Despite the current government completing over four years in office, thousands of contractual and temporary transport workers have still not been transitioned into permanent government roles.
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Opposing the ‘Kilometer Scheme’: The union strongly objects to the state’s rollout of the private ‘Kilometer Scheme’ for new buses instead of expanding the state-owned fleet. Labor leaders allege the government is systematically privatizing the department to benefit private operators.
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Targeting of Union Activists: Workers expressed outrage over the detention of several union colleagues, claiming the administration is using heavy-handed legal tactics and jail time to suppress democratic labor protests.
Strike Rescheduled to Accommodate NEET Aspirants
The industrial action was originally scheduled to commence on June 22. However, keeping the academic interests of students in mind, the union leadership elected to delay the strike by two days.
The postponement was intentionally decided to ensure that candidates appearing for the nationwide National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) could seamlessly access the state’s free travel scheme for students to reach their respective examination centers without logistics failures.
The Escalation Plan: Three-Day Total Shutdown and Gherao
With the NEET exams clear, the union has outlined a strict operational shutdown and protest itinerary across the state:
| Timeline | Strategic Action Plan |
| Immediate Effect | Launching aggressive awareness campaigns and anti-government demonstrations across all 27 state bus depots. |
| June 24, 25, and 26 | A complete, 72-hour operational strike (Chakka Jam) halting all Punbus and PRTC state buses. |
| During the Strike | Hundreds of transport workers will march to stage a massive sit-in protest directly outside the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. |
The impending three-day shutdown means government buses will be completely off the roads, heavily impacting daily daily wage earners, office commuters, and women travelers who rely heavily on the state’s free bus transit policy. Commuters will have to depend on private operators or alternative transit options, which is expected to trigger heavy crowding and overcharging across regional routes.
